I appreciate the updates shared about the Child Poverty Strategy and the school meal expansion. Personally, while I welcome any relief that free meals can offer — especially during such a difficult economic period — the continued delay in implementing a comprehensive strategy is worrying. As a student and a parent, the uncertainty makes it hard to plan ahead or feel secure about what support will actually be available.
It's not just about feeding children — it's about lifting entire families out of survival mode. I hope the eventual strategy takes into account real, lived experiences of people who are working hard but still struggling to stay afloat due to unstable incomes, rising costs, or limited childcare support. Policies must move beyond temporary relief and focus on long-term security.