Latest news with #Ferrigan
Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Kids on 'cloud nine' over free school meals as they 'egg PM on' for more at No10
Schoolchildren were on 'cloud nine' as they today delivered a letter to Downing Street thanking the PM for the major expansion of free school meals - but they are fighting for more Schoolchildren were on 'cloud nine' as they today delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street thanking the PM for the major expansion of free school meals. Ann-Marie Ferrigan, a teacher at Liverpool's Monksdown Primary School, said the four 11-year-olds, Max, Josie, Ahmed, Arthur, were 'over the moon' that their years-long campaign had achieved a win. But she said the kids were also clear they 'want to fight' to ensure all kids in primary school have access to a universal free lunch. 'One of them, in true Scouse style, said: 'Well, if you just egg the Prime Minister on a bit, he might give it to everybody,'' Ms Ferrigan told The Mirror. 'So they were speaking about it being brilliant what he's done, but there's still people going hungry.' Keir Starmer earlier this month announced that more than half a million children will become eligible for free school meals after a major expansion of eligibility rules. The PM unveiled plans to extend the lifeline benefit to all kids in families who get Universal Credit in England, in a move that could save parents up to £500 a year. The expansion, which will come into force in September 2026, marked a victory for the Mirror's long-running campaign to widen provision to stop children being too hungry to learn. This newspaper has been campaigning with the National Education Union (NEU), who organised the No10 letter hand-in, for all children in English primary schools to get free hot meals, in line with commitments in Scotland, Wales and London. Ms Ferrigan said: 'Our children are very angry about the injustice of the fact that because we're from Liverpool, we don't get it, and I think they're right. If one area of the country can do it, why can't it be rolled out for all areas?' Speaking about the 'horrible' reality of child hunger at her school, she said she has seen kids bringing extra food in their lunchboxes to share it with their hungry peers, as well as kids being tired, switched off or disengaged in lessons. She said kids have also complained of stomach pain and said many suffer with toothache, with parents forced to turn to cheaper and less nutritious options like sausage rolls and a bag of crisps to fill their child's lunchbox. The Year 6 teacher, who is in charge of student voice projects, said helping families with food was the first thing her students discussed during a school council meeting two years ago. 'When I was a child, if someone asked me what we can do for our school, I'd have said: 'Let's put a swimming pool or a waterslide in,'' she said. 'The fact that they were saying 'Let's put something in where we can feed the other children' is disgusting." While she praised the significant expansion of free school meals, Ms Ferrigan said the cut off point would mean some families would still struggle. She gave the example of a family at her school, whose mum is a nurse and whose dad is a taxi driver, who got into debt after not being able to afford the price of school lunches, but are ineligible for free hot meals. In the letter addressed to Mr Starmer, which was delivered to No10 on Friday, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, thanked the PM for his 'decisive leadership' in expanding free school meals. 'This is a major leap forward in the fight to end the national scandal of child hunger — and a moment of real hope for families across the country. There is more to do — but this progress shows what's possible. 'With continued leadership, we can go further and ensure every child in this country has the nourishment they need to learn, to grow and to thrive. Let's finish the job and deliver Free School Meals for All, to every pupil in every state-funded primary school in England.' A Department for Education spokeswoman said: 'This government has taken a historic step to tackle the stain of child poverty – offering free school meals to every single child from a household that claims Universal Credit. 'This means over half a million more children will be able to access free school meals, lifting 100,000 children out of poverty. We're putting money back in the pockets of working families, including rolling out free breakfast clubs and capping school uniform costs, helping them save up to £500 a year."
The National
10-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Palestinian shop 'abruptly evicted' from Edinburgh home after 12 years
Hadeel, a fair trade not-for-profit shop which exclusively sells goods made by Palestinians, has been operating in the Scottish capital for more than 20 years. Run by the UK charity Palcrafts, it aims to provide a sustainable source of income and support for Palestinian craftspeople, artisans and farmers. But last week, the shop received an eviction notice from its current home on 123 George Street, which is owned by the Church of Scotland. READ MORE: The Edinburgh shop exclusively selling products made by Palestinians It means the shop's current licence agreement will be terminated in early September. The shop's manager, Yasmina Ferrigan, told The National that Hadeel had been aware that the CoS was considering the future of the building. For 12 years, the CoS has apparently given Hadeel subsidised rent for the property. But added that she was 'quite taken aback' that it was done right now, given what is currently happening in Gaza and the West Bank. Instead, Hadeel had apparently expected a rent increase. 'I don't want to upset and vilify them,' she said. 'But at the end of the day, all of our producers in Palestine are suffering and whatever income we generate allows us more flexibility to support them.' READ MORE: I visited Europe's first museum of Palestinian art. Here's what it was like Ferrigan added: 'And all of our producers in the West Bank are struggling. They've got no source of income. They depend heavily on any sales that we have. 'So, absolutely, it's not an ideal time, especially at a time of such huge unrest and uncertainty.' A statement posted to Hadeel's Facebook page claims the Church of Scotland's decision to evict Hadeel was made in order to re-let the premises at a higher, more commercial value. 'Although we are aware that over the past few years CoS has been considering the future of the building, nevertheless the notice of contract termination came as a surprise and without warning,' it read. 'Despite our deep disappointment, the Joint Council of Hadeel and Palcrafts is cognisant of the reasons that forced CoS to take this decision. We would also acknowledge the longstanding support, partnership and generosity of the CoS over many years.' The statement went on: 'In order to address this difficult situation members of the Palcrafts/Hadeel council met with representatives of the Church of Scotland in order to negotiate a favourable contract and to explore options including an extension of the termination notice and the availability of other properties that can be suitable for relocation of Hadeel. 'At this juncture, we want to reassure our supporters that we are taking every possible action to safeguard the continuation of our organisation and the future of Hadeel.' The move to evict Hadeel was met with some anger from some social media users. One user said: 'It is deeply disturbing to withdraw support for Palestine in the midst of a genocide. What does this tell us about about COS values and moral compass?' Another added: 'Praying for you in this. The work you do is so important, especially just now.' The origins of the shop lie with Carol Morton, wife of a Church of Scotland minister based in Jerusalem, who started selling Palestinian-made goods there and continued on her return to Scotland. A spokesperson for the Church of Scotland said: 'The Church has been very pleased to support the Hadeel shop since 2013 within the national offices building in Edinburgh at a significantly discounted rent, which has not increased over the last 12 years. 'We are facing significant challenges and we are having to make difficult adjustments to how properties are used, to offset operating costs and contribute to the wider funding of the Kirk. 'We understand why this news is upsetting for people and it is not a decision we have taken lightly. 'We will continue to work supportively with Hadeel and ecumenical partners to identify suitable, alternative premises elsewhere.' You can find Hadeel at 123 George St, Edinburgh EH2 4JN. Stay updated with their news via their website, Facebook, and X.
The National
09-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Church of Scotland to evict Palestinian shop from Edinburgh property
Hadeel, a fair trade not-for-profit shop which exclusively sells goods made by Palestinians, has been operating in the Scottish capital for over 20 years. Run by the UK charity Palcrafts, it aims to provide a sustainable source of income and support for Palestinian craftspeople, artisans and farmers. But last week, the shop received an eviction notice from its current home on 123 George Street, which is owned by the Church of Scotland. READ MORE: The Edinburgh shop exclusively selling products made by Palestinians It means the shop's current licence agreement will be terminated in early September. The shop's manager, Yasmina Ferrigan, told The National that Hadeel had been aware that the CoS was considering the future of the building. For 12 years, the CoS has apparently given Hadeel subsidised rent for the property. But added that she was 'quite taken aback' that it was done right now, given what is currently happening in Gaza. 'I don't want to upset and vilify them,' she said. 'But at the end of the day, all of our producers in Palestine are suffering and whatever income we generate allows us more flexibility to support them.' Ferrigan added: 'And all of our producers in the West Bank are struggling. They've got no source of income. They depend heavily on any sales that we have. 'So, absolutely, it's not an ideal time, especially at a time of such huge unrest and uncertainty.' A statement posted to Hadeel's Facebook page claims the Church of Scotland's decision to evict Hadeel was made in order to re-let the premises at a higher, more commercial value. 'Although we are aware that over the past few years CoS has been considering the future of the building, nevertheless the notice of contract termination came as a surprise and without warning,' it read. 'Despite our deep disappointment, the Joint Council of Hadeel and Palcrafts is cognisant of the reasons that forced CoS to take this decision. We would also acknowledge the longstanding support, partnership and generosity of the CoS over many years.' The statement went on: 'In order to address this difficult situation members of the Palcrafts/Hadeel council met with representatives of the Church of Scotland in order to negotiate a favourable contract and to explore options including an extension of the termination notice and the availability of other properties that can be suitable for relocation of Hadeel. 'At this juncture, we want to reassure our supporters that we are taking every possible action to safeguard the continuation of our organisation and the future of Hadeel.' The move to evict Hadeel was met with some anger from some social media users. One user said: 'It is deeply disturbing to withdraw support for Palestine in the midst of a genocide. What does this tell us about about COS values and moral compass?' Another added: 'Praying for you in this. The work you do is so important, especially just now.' The origins of the shop lie with Carol Morton, a wife of a Church of Scotland minister based in Jerusalem, who started selling Palestinian-made goods there and continued on her return to Scotland. The Church of Scotland has been approached for comment. You can find Hadeel at 123 George St, Edinburgh EH2 4JN. Stay updated with their news via their website, Facebook, and X.
