Comedian Munya Chawawa tackles free school meals scandal in viral comedy sketch

Government has been criticised for its handling of free school meals during the pandemic

Comedian Munya Chawawa has criticised the government’s handling of its free school meals policy in a viral sketch shared on social media.

Boris Johnson’s Conservative government faced criticism this week, led by anti-poverty activist and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, after photos were shared on social media revealing the meagre contents of some of the free meals provided to children around the UK.

In Chawawa’s video, entitled “Matt Hancock & Friends respond to Free School Meals backlash”, he plays an intern, who asks a government official about a photo someone shared, depicting a food parcel ostensibly worth £30, containing a loaf of bread, some slices of cheese, apples, carrots, bananas, potatoes, three Frube yoghurts, two Soreen bars and a small sachet of pasta.

“It’s a free school meal,” replies the official, also played by Chawawa. The intern then responds: “For who? Oliver Twist?” 

The back-and-forth continues, with the intern becoming increasingly exasperated with the nonchalance of the government official.

Fans reacted positively to the sketch, with one person calling it “superb”. 

“When are the networks going to pick you up and give you your own show?” asked someone else.

The free meals scandal has featured heavily in UK news headlines over the past few days, with many people sharing photos of paltry meals, including ones with halved vegetables and tuna wrapped in coin bags. 

Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer argued that the meals, branded “disgraceful” by Johnson, were in fact in compliance with the government’s own guidelines. “[Johnson] blames others, but this is on his watch,” he said.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson promised to “name and shame” food suppliers who were responsible for providing children entitled to free school meals during lockdown with sub-standard packages. He also confirmed that a national voucher scheme will be launched next week, giving schools the option to abandon the food parcel system.

According to a tweet from Rashford posted after speaking to the PM, a “full review of the supply chain” is set to take place. 

“Just had a good conversation with the prime minister,” he wrote. “He has assured me that he is committed to correcting the issue with the food hampers and that a full review of the supply chain is taking place. He agrees that images of hampers being shared on Twitter are unacceptable.”