Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Zayn Malik shares sweet childhood photo as he appeals to extend free school meals for children living in poverty 

According to reports, around 800,000 children in the UK are living in poverty, but still do not qualify for free school meals.

Zayn Malik shares sweet childhood photo as he appeals to extend free school meals for children living in poverty 

British singer Zayn Malik has appealed to help feed needy families as he promoted sales of a clothing range by sharing a photo from his school days in Bradford.

The former One Direction star posted a black and white photograph from his time at Lower Fields Primary Academy on Instagram.


The clothing range includes messages such as ‘Save the Future’ and ‘Feed the Children’ and the money raised from the sales will go to the feedingbritain.org charity.

The East Bowling-born Malik was recently in the news when he wrote an open letter to British prime minister Rishi Sunak, urging him to offer free school meals for all children whose families are on Universal Credit.

According to reports, around 800,000 children in the UK are living in poverty, but still do not qualify for free school meals.

Malik, 29, was one of the many children who relied on free school lunches.

“Together we can help save the future. Together we can help protect families. Together we can help by providing meals to those suffering from hunger, poverty, and food insecurities," Malik, who recently became an ambassador for the UK charity Food Foundation, wrote on Instagram. Now, the singer supports the organisation’s Feed the Future campaign.

“100 per cent of the proceeds from these shirts will be donated to @feeding_britain. No child should have to suffer the trauma and stigma of hunger and poverty," he said.

”We want every child to grow up healthy and lead productive lives #freeschoolmeals.”

Malik has 4.74 million followers on Instagram and the latest post crossed over 2 million likes within hours.

He is the latest famous name to support wider access to free school meals, joining England football star Marcus Rashford and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

According to figures from the British government, 1.9 million children in England, or 22.5 per cent of all students, are eligible for free school meals.

All infant-school students are eligible for free meals, but children in Year 3 and above must live in a household receiving income-related benefits, with an annual income of no more than £7,400 after tax and before welfare payments.

However, approximately 40 per cent of people who receive universal credit have jobs and may earn more than this amount.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less