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Today's Vocabulary
1. make ends meet (idiom)
to have just enough money to pay for the things that you need
2. welfare (n)
help given, especially by the state or an organization, to people who need it, especially because they do not have enough money
3. struggling (adj)
unsuccessful but trying hard to succeed
4. The opposition (n)
in some political systems, the elected politicians who belong to the largest party that does not form the government
5. push (v)
to forcefully persuade or direct someone to do or achieve something
6. issue (n)
a subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about
UK doctors demand free meals for kids as COVID fuels hunger
Pediatricians are urging the British government to reverse course and provide free meals for poor children during school holidays as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes more families into poverty.
The doctors say some 4 million children live in poverty, and a third rely on free school meals. Many parents in Britain have lost their jobs or are working reduced hours during the pandemic, making it imperative to make it possible for poor children over the holidays to get at least one nutritious meal a day, the doctors argue.
“Families who were previously managing are now struggling to make ends meet because of the impact of COVID-19,’’ the doctors wrote. “It is not good enough to send them into the holiday period hoping for the best, while knowing that many will simply go hungry.’’
Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, who spoke for the government on Britain’s Sunday morning news programs, claimed that lawmakers were taking a broader approach. He said the government has increased welfare benefits nationwide and has provided 63 million pounds ($82 million) to local communities to help people.
The opposition Labour Party has warned it will bring the issue back to the House of Commons if ministers do not change course in time for Christmas.
Resource: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/uk-doctors-demand-free-meals-for-kids-as-covid-fuels-hunger/2020/10/25/d133c606-16c6-11eb-8bda-814ca56e138b_story.html
Discussion
- Why do rich politicians say they understand poor people’s lives?
- Whose responsibility is it to feed hungry children?
- How bad is it that children are hungry?
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”
