Sadiq launches manifesto with pledge to make free school meals permanent in London
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Sadiq Khan will today (Thursday 18 April) launch his manifesto - ‘A
fairer, safer, greener London' – at an event in south-east London.
In his speech, Sadiq will outline his enduring commitment to
improving the lives of the next generation of Londoners. He
will say that above all else, his politics is “about giving the
next generation a chance” and ensuring all Londoners can reach
their potential. As part of this, Sadiq will pledge to make his
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Sadiq Khan will today (Thursday 18 April) launch his manifesto - ‘A fairer, safer, greener London' – at an event in south-east London.
In his speech, Sadiq will outline his enduring commitment to
improving the lives of the next generation of Londoners. He
will say that above all else, his politics is “about giving the
next generation a chance” and ensuring all Londoners can reach
their potential.
With just two weeks to go until the election on 2 May, the
manifesto draws a clear dividing line between Sadiq and the
hard-right Tory candidate, who has confirmed that she would scrap
universal free school meals in London from next year, despite the
cost-of-living crisis continuing. "Londoners now face a clear choice in a two-horse race. We can make universal free school meals permanent, build 40 thousand new council homes, clean London's air and give young people the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential. We can also put an extra 1300 police officers on our streets, end rough sleeping for good, redouble efforts to reduce violence against women and girls and ensure London maintains its status as a beacon of climate and environmental action the world over. And working with a Labour Government, there truly is no limit to what we can achieve. "But all of this is at risk with the Tories, who'll take us back by: scrapping free school meals, hiking TfL fares, cancelling council house building, polluting our air and closing youth clubs. All the progress we've already made, all the promises we're yet to meet are now on the line. "This is a year of historic choice and of historic challenge. Together, let's recommit ourselves to the task of doing better than the generation that came before us and leave something better for the one that comes after." On funding London baby banks, Sadiq will say: “Essentials like nappies, toiletries and bedding have been pushed out of reach for families. People who've never needed help before are now seeking it. The struggle is not yours alone… we'll commit to fund baby banks, ensuring that a child's basic needs are met from the moment they leave the maternity ward.” Labour's Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, said: “Sadiq Khan's promise to Londoners today builds on what he has already achieved for the city, stepping in to help Londoners through the cost-of-living crisis by bringing down travel costs with another annual TfL fares freeze, and addressing the housing crisis by with more new council homes than at any time since the 1970s. “Young Londoners can trust Sadiq to keep delivering on his plan to provide them with a strong foundation so they can thrive no matter where they come from. “By voting Labour on 2 May, Londoners will get a Labour Mayor who is on their side and will break the link between of where you come from, determining where you end up.” Chef Tom Kerridge, said: “I'm pleased to learn that if Sadiq is re-elected, families won't need to worry about feeding their kids at primary school. They'll have full stomachs every school day, and learning will be easier too.” Henry Dimbleby, businessman and campaigner, said: “This is fantastic news. The evidence is clear that free school meals improve educational outcomes, not just through the nutritional benefits that they bring, but through the culture that can be created in a school where everyone eats together – family style. Good food and food education must also be at the heart of any attempt to transform the dreadful, damaging junk food culture in this country which is causing so much harm to people's lives, to the NHS and to our economy. Where London leads, others will surely follow. Lets hope it doesn't take them too long.” Charlotte Hill, CEO of The Felix Project said: “Building on the work The Felix Project have done with the Mayor over the last year to feed children, young people and families in school holidays, we are delighted with this commitment to support Felix's Multibank if he is re-elected. This will help us rescue other surplus items beyond food that are essential for Londoners most in need, such as toiletries, bedding and hygiene products and get them to our partners across London. We are delighted that one of these partners will be Little Village, who run a network of baby banks across the capital so we ensure from the very start of life, Londoners are receiving the essential support they need to thrive.” Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “We have seen an immediate, positive impact from the extension of Free School Meals to all primary school children in London. A hot, healthy school dinner helps children concentrate better in class and thrive in school. It removes the stigma from families who need this vital support and helps foster strong community relationships in the dinner hall – and it has taken welcome pressure off parents who are trying to make ends meet. Making free school meals permanent in London's primary schools is the right decision. It is about time that the rest of England follows the lead taken by the London Mayor – all primary school children across the country should have access to FSM”. Sophie Livingstone MBE, chief executive for Little Village said: "Too many families across the capital are continuing to have to make impossible spending choices every day. At Little Village we hear about nappy rationing, watering down formula, families sleeping four in a bed. We therefore really welcome the Mayor of London's funding promise for baby banks – by helping to give parents and children the things they need, together we can reduce some of the financial juggling and emotional burden to make ends meet." Sharon Long, Director at Partnership for Young London, said: "Young Londoners are the future of our city, and we're delighted to see this ambitious plan to support them from cradle into employment. As Mayor of London, Sadiq has been an important partner and champion for London's youth sector. If re-elected, Partnership for Young London look forward to continue working with him to support our young Londoners to thrive." Dr. Nikki Kahani, south London GP and former NHS England GP lead said: "As a lifelong London resident, mum and GP I'm delighted to see that supporting our children and young people to thrive is a priority in Sadiq's manifesto. "From universal free school meals - which I'm proud to be championing alongside the Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards - to mental health support in schools, these policies will make a real and tangible difference to the health and wellbeing of London's children." Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation said: ‘This is a brilliant commitment to London's children, setting them up for the future, helping them to learn and keeping them healthy. Now we need the Government to make this possible for all children growing up in the rest of the country.' Mariama Sesay, London mum and charity worker, said: "Free school meals have benefited a lot of families in terms of taking one stress from the table. "If Sadiq Khan isn't in governance, then this policy isn't going to continue. If the Tories win, we all know they are going to remove it. I encourage people to vote Labour, because these are the things that we need in the community."
Ends
Sadiq's top manifesto pledges include:
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