A local café owner in Hastings, Barry Ashley, has taken a stand to provide free meals to children in need after the decision by East Sussex County Council to halt school holiday meal vouchers. Andy Woolley, the council leader, has warned Ashley and Labour MP Helena Dollimore of potential police involvement, citing online attacks and accusations of inciting hate.
Ashley, who operates the Grumpy Cook café, criticized the council’s move, calling it “shameless” and neglectful towards impoverished children. In response to the voucher discontinuation, Ashley announced that his café would offer complimentary meals to children facing food insecurity, with the support of donations from local businesses.
The decision to cease the vouchers, which are crucial for struggling families, has sparked a public outcry. Dollimore has launched a petition demanding the reinstatement of the vouchers, condemning the council’s actions as unacceptable and endangering children.
Hastings, known for its high poverty rates, has been a focal point for Ashley’s efforts to support families during challenging times, especially after the lack of government assistance during lockdown. He emphasized the importance of ensuring children are fed without the burden of proving financial need.
Despite facing backlash from the council, Ashley remains committed to his cause, providing over 70 free meals daily to children in need. The café owner expressed dismay over families going hungry to prioritize feeding their children, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The tense exchange between Ashley and Woolley escalated after the council leader accused them of personal attacks and inciting hate. While Woolley defended the council’s decision as a collective effort, Ashley and Dollimore maintained their stance that it was a political choice with detrimental effects on vulnerable families.
The council justified its actions by citing insufficient government funding, leading to the discontinuation of vouchers for free school meals recipients. Woolley highlighted the allocation of £7.3 million from the Crisis Resilience Fund to provide targeted support to families in hardship, emphasizing the expansion of the Holiday Activity and Food program.
As the dispute continues, Woolley has refrained from involving the police at this stage, emphasizing the importance of respectful political discourse and the safety of public officials. The situation underscores the challenges faced by families in need and the ongoing efforts to address food insecurity within the community.