A Government minister has been accused of ‘demonising’ families on free school meals vouchers after suggesting some had used them to buy alcohol.
Children’s minister Vicky Ford wrote on Twitter she was ‘saddened to hear of incidents of some parents using free school meals vouchers for alcohol and non-food products despite clear restrictions and also threatening supermarket staff’.
She added: ‘Am speaking to all supermarkets on what more can be done to protect staff and make sure kids get food.’
The tweet from the Conservative MP sparked a huge reaction online agreeing and disagreeing
Children’s minister Vicky Ford came under fire over the claims about the school meal vouchers
But it was not immediately clear where the claims had originated, although some respondents pointed to a local newspaper story from May.
It said supermarket staff in Hull had complained the vouchers were being used for alcohol and also Lego and bras.
An Asda worker told the Hull Daily Mail: ‘We’ve literally had abuse from customers who want to buy alcohol with them when we refuse.
‘But because the vouchers don’t say it seems they’re allowed to buy whatever they want.
Furious Twitter users laid into the minister, asking to see the proof of her claim
‘One guy came up with three cases of Carling, which were on offer for £21, no food or anything, and I refused the voucher.
‘He said to me, ‘I spend enough on them t***ing kids as it is’.’
The Department for Education and Ms Ford were contacted for comment.
The word ‘saddened’ trended on Twitter as many questioned the minister’s claim.
There was a mixed response from fellow MPs, with one saying she had demonised children on the meals, while another praised her for raising the issue
Natalie Rowe said: ‘When you say ‘some’ could you now produce an actual figure, 5? 10 ? 35 ?, 1,009 ?
‘Or is it just a couple of isolated incidents that you now want to use to tarnish every vulnerable family in great need?’
Etymologic added: ‘Saddened to hear incidents of the Children’s Minister seeking squalid political advantage, after her government was forced into a U-turn on feeding hungry kids by a Premiership footballer.’
Another weighed in to ask ‘If they are meals vouchers, how can they be exchanged for alcohol?’
And Julie Ambrose said she helped provide families with the coupons.
She told the MP: ‘This is untrue and you know it – I order the FSM vouchers for the vulnerable families in my school in order that they can feed their children, it is quite clear that vouchers can only be used for food.
‘You are stoking up division and hatred – utterly despicable!’
Shadow minister for mental health, and A&E doctor, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said: ‘Hundreds of thousands of children rely on foodbank handouts and now the Government want to demonise those receiving free school meals with exaggerated and unsourced stories. Have a heart!’
However, Mansfield Conservative MP Ben Bradley expressed support for Ms Ford, tweeting: ‘Pleased to see Government actively following up on this since I raised it in the Commons a few weeks ago… Hopefully, solutions can be found and we can support supermarket staff.’
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