School meal scheme extended for children in England after campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford
Reacting to the news, the Manchester United forward said "just look at what we can do when we come together"
The 'Covid summer school fund' works out as about £15 a week per recipient, and will cost about £120m
Latest updates on Tuesday, 16 June
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's where we leave things today.
You can read all the reaction below to Marcus Rashford's successful campaign to get free school meals for children throughout the summer, as well as some of the latest updates on coronavirus in England.
We'll be back tomorrow but, for now, thank you for joining us.
BBC Newsbeat
Image source, Getty ImagesGeorgina is a single parent with five children aged between three and 13. She lost her job as a carer during lockdown and has relied on vouchers to feed her family.
She's described the U-turn over free school meals as "amazing" and takes the weight off her shoulders after she lost her job as a carer and had to claim benefits.
"To know that we're still going to get that money during the summer holidays is amazing," she told BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat.
"The summer holidays were looking a little bit bleak if I'm honest. I can split money up on a weekly basis and make sure my children have got breakfast, a lunch and a dinner."
Described as the "true jewel" in Norwich's crown, the city's market has been on the same site since it was founded by the Normans in the 11th Century.
Normally it boasts 189 stalls and plays an important part in the local economy, but then came the coronavirus lockdown and everything changed.
Just over a year ago it was named the "best large outdoor market in Britain" but how is it coping with coronavirus restrictions - and can it survive?
Stallholders have spoken to the BBC about the challenges they face in a wildly different economical climate.
BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesA teenager whose family have used the safety net of food vouchers has expressed his delight that the government will fund them over the summer.
Dev Sharma, a 15-year-old youth MP for Leicestershire, said the move was hugely important to him and his brother.
"It means the world to know that my mum and dad have now sufficient funds to feed [us] over six weeks," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I can now have access to a decent meal and be on the same level as my peers from more affluent backgrounds," he said.
Image source, Stuart HurstA shop owner has been left "devastated" by flooding on his first full day of trading after lockdown restrictions were eased.
Dale Street in Milnrow, Rochdale was "completely flooded" when the River Beal rose rapidly on Monday evening.
"This can't carry on - it is the fifth flood in five years since the Boxing Day floods in 2015," said Philip Holt, who owns Carpet Creations.
"We're devastated but we'll dust ourselves down and reopen on Wednesday but we can't keep doing this."
Image source, The Cote CharityRoyal Ascot fans have been donning their finest threads and hats to take part in horse racing's biggest meeting from the comfort of their own homes.
The coronavirus pandemic has meant the action is taking place behind closed doors with jockeys wearing face masks.
However, "virtual racegoers" have kept up with the fun from home, using the hashtags #SharedWithThanks and #hatsfromhome to showcase their outfits on social media.
Image source, Vicky O'HaganVicky O'Hagan, of Consett in Durham, and her mother, Dee, opted for a cleaning theme for their headwear.
While Christopher Weatherstone, his mother Dawn, and sister Lucy, kept things classic in Rotherham in South Yorkshire, with a bow tie, dresses and fascinators.
Image source, Lucy WeatherstoneAscot's organisers are encouraging racegoers to donate to four front-line charities.
The National Emergencies Trust Relief Fund, NHS Charities Together, the Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund, will all benefit.
Footballer Marcus Rashford has been widely praised today for persuading the government to extend its free school meal voucher scheme in England, but what do the people of Wythenshawe think of their hometown hero?
Christian Latimer's six-year-old daughter Mia has benefited from free schools meals during lockdown. The 27-year-old shop worker praised the footballer for his "amazing" campaign.
"He showed great fight and he has achieved so much in helping families who struggle to feed their children.
"As a United fan I thought he was great before but now he has shown the whole country what sort of a person he is off the pitch.
"I know he visits his old school and gives presents out to the kids. He is a great role model."
Image source, Stuart HurstWe have focused on Marcus Rashford's successful campaign to help children receive free school meals throughout the summer, but what else has happened around England today?
Daniel Wainwright
BBC England Data Unit
About 868,000 children in England went to school last Thursday, according to the latest data published this afternoon by the Department for Education.
Although this was up by a third on the previous Thursday, it still means only 9% of children were in school.
When lockdown was imposed only vulnerable pupils and the children of keyworkers were allowed to go in.
Schools started to re-open to children in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 on 8 June.
Figures for this week, as some Year 10 and Year 12 pupils started to go back, should be shown in next week's data release.
Sean Coughlan
BBC News, education correspondent
Image source, ReutersAs a striker with a killer instinct in front of goal, Marcus Rashford is used to beating defences.
And he's cut straight through a nervous defensive wall of Conservative ministers - leaving them wrong-footed and facing an embarrassing own goal.
A number of Tory MPs had already voiced their disquiet - and how many of them really wanted to find themselves up against an England football hero, and the risk of children going hungry?
The U-turn means the government will pay the extra £120m to extend free school meal vouchers across the six weeks of the holidays, available to 1.3 million children.
It's a one-off deal for the unprecedented pressure caused by the coronavirus - with food banks warning of growing demands.
But Rashford, and his 2.7 million Twitter followers, proved a tough target for the government - and he's beaten them with a fast-footed appeal directly to public opinion.
BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesThe government's change of heart on free school meals has been branded as "wonderful" by a woman relying on benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sonja, from near Basingstoke, has three teenage children and has relied on benefits since finding herself out of work during lockdown. She does not start her new job until September.
"[The U-turn] takes away that worry of the six-week summer holiday and makes it so much less stressful," she told BBC 5live.
But she added: "I feel sad that it had to be a campaign. [The government has] been throwing money to keep everyone afloat but left behind people on universal credit and free school meals."
Katherine Sellgren
BBC News
The vast majority of teachers (90%) say their pupils are doing less or much less work than they would normally at this time of the year, a study finds.
The report by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) says head teachers believe around a third of pupils are not engaging with set work.
Image source, Getty ImagesLimited or no access to technology was a problem for around a quarter (23%) of pupils, school leaders told the NFER.
The government says it has committed more than £100m to help home learning.
The NFER report, external is based on findings from a survey of 1,233 school leaders and 1,821 teachers in England's state schools, carried out between 7 and 17 May. Read more here.
A supermarket worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, emailed us to say she had witnessed some customers paying for alcohol with free school meals vouchers.
She said: "I appreciate there are so many families in need of food but looking at just how many [vouchers] we have received through the tills and you look at what the customer has bought, very rarely is it what you would class as essential food staples.
"Their trolleys are packed with clothes, alcohol, toys and electronics and they are using the school meal vouchers to pay for this."
Image source, Getty Images"There is no block on what items they can purchase and we are not allowed to judge them or question their purchases," she said.
"They can purchase what ever items they like and the vouchers will scan."
A statement from the Department for Education said: "We are still fine-tuning details on how to ensure vouchers will be restricted to food provision. We'll set out details in due course."
You can send us your views via email or twitter., external
Image source, Getty ImagesThe government in England will now provide free school meals vouchers over the summer holidays.
The campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford to extend school food vouchers through the summer in England has been widely praised.
His club Manchester United has paid this tribute to him:
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Marcus Rashford has published a message to all MPs following his successful campaign to extend school food vouchers.
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Man United's Marcus Rashford speaks on his tough upbringing in bid to end food poverty
The headteacher of Marcus Rashford's former primary school has hailed the Manchester United and England footballer as a 'hero' to its pupils.
Emma Roberts, headteacher at Button Lane Primary School in Wythenshawe, said that the school was "really proud" of Rashford's efforts after the government changed in their decision to stop issuing vouchers over the summer for free school meals.
"He is like a hero to the children. I think they all feel like he's their friend. He's somebody close to them who is inspirational and they can aspire to be like," she said.
"Yes, he's a good footballer and he's playing for England, but he's also an inspiration in how he lives his life."
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Marcus Rashford's mum must be pretty chuffed with her son this afternoon, according to BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker.
He paid tribute to the work Rashford has done and how the England international has used his platform.
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The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have called Marcus Rashford an 'inspiration' following his free school meals campaign.
NAHT's general secretary Paul Whiteman said "ending child poverty for good must be the goal now".
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