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11.10.2022 / 17:15
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Jamie Oliver declares he’s ready to ‘fight’ Liz Truss over free school meals for children but has ‘no faith’ in her
supports HTML5 videoJamie Oliver is ready to ‘fight’ Prime Minister Liz Truss over her stance on free school meals for children.The TV chef has five children, three of whom are of school-going age, and has previously successfully campaigned to make school dinners healthier – which he recently admitted he still gets stick for.Now Jamie, 47, is fighting two battles: for Britain to be healthier and for more schoolchildren in England to receive free lunches.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Jamie said he understands people will be listening to the row and thinking ‘it’s a parent’s responsibility to nourish their child,’ but pointed out that currently only households earning under £7,400 a year are eligible for free meals.‘We are talking about the most vulnerable kids,’ he said, adding that even if a household is on benefits it does not mean their children will be fed for free at school.Jamie was questioned about his relationship with former PM Boris Johnson, who had appeared to agree to the chef’s pleas in regards to school dinners before he was replaced by Liz Truss in the role.‘He had to nearly die and have a child to put him in the frame of mind to do the right thing,’ Jamie quipped, referring to Johnson’s time in intensive care with Covid-19 at the beginning of the pandemic.And as for new PM Truss, Jamie didn’t hold back.‘I have no faith,’ he declared.‘We’ve been tracking her and her views for six, seven years. She’s not going to change.