10 March 2024 , 11:16
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Mothers have begun a five-day hunger strike outside Parliament as they demand all kids get free school meals.
The group of six women want to draw attention to parents across the country who are skipping meals to feed their children. They have published a Mothers Manifesto calling for nutritious free meals to be provided in all state schools.
Other demands include increasing Universal Credit and the minimum wage, as well as reversing cuts to the overseas aid budget. The hunger strike, which began on Mother’s Day, follows a similar protest they held outside Downing Street last year.
Emma Hopkins, 55, who organised the action, said: "As mothers, we feel like we should be able to feed children and take care of them and actually, many mothers are not able to do that both in the UK and globally. I think it's absolutely shameful that so many people here in the UK are struggling to manage to feed themselves - we've got millions of children who are below the poverty line in one of the richest nations."
The mother-of-four from Totnes added: "We will sit outside Parliament with a table with empty plates and knives and forks.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
"On the plates we have written a number of our demands and we're making hearts with children's names on to show our support for their future. I'm so excited for it, and it will really show how much mothers are struggling with feeding their children."
According to 2022 numbers from the Food Foundation charity, 25.8% of households with children had experienced food insecurity within the past month, affecting an estimated four million children in the UK.
The Mirror has led the way in calling for the government to provide free school meals for every primary pupil in England through our Free School Meals For All campaign.