Zayn Malik Pens Open Letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Urging him to offer free school meals for all children on Universal Credit.
Global superstar and former One Direction star Zayn Malik has written an open letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, urging him to offer free school meals for all children whose families are on Universal Credit.
Currently, it’s estimated that approximately 800,000 children in the U.K. are living in poverty, but still don’t qualify for free school meals. Malik’s letter pleads with the government to consider the issue ahead of their fall budget reveal on November 17, set to outline their plans to recover a £40 billion loss (approximately $46 billion USD).
The letter details the singer’s experience of growing up in inner-city Bradford and explains that he was one of many children who relied on free school lunches to get by. As a result, Malik knows first-hand the difficulties surrounding food insecurity and the stigma surrounding the conversation. Since becoming a father alongside former partner Gigi Hadid, the star has become committed to using his platform to address the issue.
“I hope the government does what’s right and makes the changes that are needed. Parents are already doing everything they can, but Government support is desperately needed. No parent should have to make impossible decisions like whether to buy food, turn on the heating, or go into debt,” the letter reads.
Malik shared the letter on Instagram alongside a caption that read “No child should have to suffer the trauma and stigma of hunger & poverty. We want every child to grow up healthy to lead productive lives. I am calling on @10DowningStreet to expand #FreeSchoolMeals to every child in poverty in England.”
Take a look at the letter in full below.
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