Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted he was unaware of Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend food vouchers for vulnerable children until the day the United Kingdom government made a U-turn, with the England international saying they had « done what is right » in changing their minds.

Manchester United striker Rashford wrote to members of parliament on Monday, imploring the government not to stop free school meals for around 1.3 million disadvantaged children from next month.

The food voucher scheme only normally runs during term time but was used during the Easter holiday because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and Rashford had asked for the government to extend it again.

On Monday, shortly after Rashford tweeted his letter, the Department of Education posted a blog on its website reiterating that the scheme was not due to run over the school summer holidays in the UK.

However, after support for Rashford’s campaign continued to grow on Tuesday, the government announced a six-week, £120million « Covid summer food fund ».

We are making sure no child goes hungry during this challenging and unprecedented period.

A new Covid Summer Food Fund will support children eligible for free school meals with a 6 week voucher this summer. pic.twitter.com/1q6Els0QzJ

— Department for Education (@educationgovuk) June 16, 2020

Speaking at the government’s daily briefing, Johnson said: « I talked to Marcus Rashford today and congratulated him on his campaign which, to be honest, I only became aware of today. I thank him for what he’s done. I think he’s right to draw attention to this issue.

« We’ve got large numbers of kids who haven’t been able to get back into school, we’re got a problem in getting kids back into school in the way that we would want for the reasons that people understand – though actually there are lots of kids that aren’t going back to school and I’d like to see that happen.

« I do think it’s right that we should be looking after the families of the most vulnerable, the neediest right now and that’s why we have got the Covid summer fund plan that we’ve announced today, and I hope it will make a big difference to those kids and those families. »

Rashford, who has also helped charity FareShare reach a goal of supplying three million meals by the end of June, had spoken about his own reliance on free school meals and food banks growing up.

The 22-year-old – praised widely social media – wrote a message to MPs on Twitter that said his campaign was « never about politics ».

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Rashford said: « This was never about me or you, this was never about politics, this was a cry out for help from vulnerable parents all over the country and I simply provided a platform for their voices to be heard.

« I stand proud today knowing that we have listened, and we have done what is right. There is still a long way to go but I am thankful to you all that we have given these families just one less thing to worry about tonight.

« The wellbeing of our children should ALWAYS be a priority. »