Zayn Malik has called on the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to “give all children living in poverty” a free school meal amid the cost-of-living crisis. He is backing the Food Foundation for its Feed the Future campaign. According to the Foundation, there are about 800,000 children in England who live in poverty but do not qualify for free meals.
Malik, now known simply as Zayn said that he felt compelled to write to Mr. Prime Minister because the singer survived his school days only because of free meals. Zayn, the ambassador for the charity came forward to voice a cause he felt is in the best interests of the people. Read on to know more about what the former One Direction member wrote to the PM of the UK.
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Why Did Zayn Malik Write To The UK PM?
Zayn Malik wrote to Rishi Sunak, the prime minister of the UK to extend the November budget for free school meals that includes young people from families on universal credit. Malik, the ambassador for Food Foundation has joined with famous personalities like English footballer Marcus Rashford and the chef Jamie Oliver to support wide access to free school meals.
In his letter, the singer writes: “These children are suffering from lack of concentration, some even resorting to stealing food from school canteens because they are so hungry but can’t afford to buy lunch. They are also feeling shame, which is directly impacting their physical and mental health. I know what that shame feels like, I have seen it first-hand, as growing up in Bradford I relied on free school meals. I personally experienced the stigma surrounding food insecurity.”
“My hope is that in writing this letter we can all ensure that no child ever has to experience this hunger and stigma again as my experience is not unique; it is a struggle that many children in England are sadly going through right now,” he wrote. As part of the campaign, Malik is urging people to write to their MPs on the issue.
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What Did The Former One Direction Singer Urge The Prime Minister To Do?
Zayn addressing Sunak says: “As prime minister, you have the power to change this. Please act in good conscience and commit in your budget on 17th November to giving all children living in poverty a free school meal. Children going hungry is not inevitable and should not come down to a political issue or ideology.”
Feed the Future is a campaign led by a coalition of organisations including the Food Foundation, Bite Back 2030 and Jamie Oliver Ltd. As already established, about 800,000 children who are living in poverty are not yet qualified for free school meals. Malik wrote that many parents are “already doing everything they can” and that government support is “desperately needed.”
Anna Taylor, the executive director of the Food Foundation, said: “Zayn’s music has touched the lives of many millions of people. We are thrilled to be working together on the campaign and that he is becoming an ambassador. His own experiences as a child will resonate with many young people in Britain today whose voices go unheard.”
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