The Labour Party has called for backbench Conservative MPs to “defy Boris Johnson” and vote to support Marcus Rashford’s campaign for the extension of free school meals over the holidays.
A vote on the matter is set to take place in parliament on Wednesday.
It comes after the Wythenshawe-born Manchester United and England star launched an online petition last week in which he urged the government to make three commitments to support vulnerable children as part of the ongoing #endchildfoodpoverty campaign.
The campaign is supported by the Child Food Poverty Task Force – which was formed by Rashford – as well as a further 20 charities and key names in the food industry.
Remember when I said I was going to need your help…
For the millions who do not have the platform to be heard.
Upon the launch of the petition last week, Rashford said: “With the Child Food Poverty Taskforce, I am calling for government to allocate money to:
ADVERTISEMENT
Expand free school meals to all under-16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefit
Provide meals & activities during all holidays
Increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week, and expand the scheme.”
However, these calls were met with rejection by No. 10, as the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson stated that the campaign would not be supported as “we’re in a different position now with schools back open to all pupils”.
They continued: “It’s not for schools to regularly provide food to pupils during the school holidays. We believe the best way to support families outside of term time is through Universal Credit rather than government subsidising meals.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Marcus Rashford then responded saying: “This is not going anytime soon and neither am I…”
Merry Christmas kids…
It’s also not for food banks to feed millions of British children but here we are. 250% increase in food poverty and rising…
Now, MP Tulip Siddiq – who is also Labour’s Shadow Children and Early Years Minister – has written to every backbench Conservative MP asking them to support Labour’s proposal, which would “provide additional support to over 1.4 million children in every school holiday until Easter”.
Speaking on the release of the proposal, Siddiq said: “Families across the country are worrying about how to make ends meet, but the Prime Minister is ruling out giving over a million children food support over the holidays.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Every Conservative MP now has an opportunity to make it clear that they will support the families in their constituency who are worrying about how they will put food on the table in the weeks ahead.”
👇 My letter to Conservative MPs calling on them to join @UKLabour in backing the extension of free school meals over the holidays in this pandemic.
Let’s see how many Tories will put principles before party and vote to feed hungry children this winter. pic.twitter.com/VNSXivSJrV
Over a million children are at risk of going hungry over the holidays without access to free school meals. It is essential the Government provides this support urgently.
In the letter, she expresses how “deeply disappointed” she is to learn of the Prime Minister’s spokesperson’s rejection this proposal.
The letter continues: “I believe that it is essential that the government changes course as a matter of urgency so that children do not have to go without food over the holidays. I am sure you recognise that free school meals are an important means of support for families across your constituency, many of whom will be worrying about how they put food on the table over the half-term and Christmas holidays.”
Labour also confirmed via the letter that: “If the government does not urgently U-turn, we will force a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday.”
You can read Labour’s statement in full ahead of the vote in parliament here.
Trending
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
“This is for all the Patricias out there, see you at Sunset Cocktails to celebrate. Thank you.”
Featured Image – The Television Academy (via YouTube)
Trending
M&S launches new Too Good To Go partnership – with NINE Greater Manchester stores signed up
Emily Sergeant
M&S has finally decided to partner with food waste charity, Too Good To Go.
As of yesterday, a total of 350 M&S stores across the UK – including nine major sites in Greater Manchester – now offer new Too Good To Go ‘Surprise Bags’ that are made up of surplus bakery goodies, giving customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day directly from in-store bakeries.
The launch follows a trial in a select number of UK stores, and the Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies, and fresh bread.
The partnership with Too Good To Go is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to reduce surplus food and ensure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Greater Manchester stores that will be taking part in the new Too Good To Go partnership include Manchester Market Street, Trafford Centre, Stockport, Spinningfields, Prestwich, Wigan Robin, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, and Ashton Moss.
Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for just £3.80.
Available Monday to Saturday, customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app, and collect them one hour before their local store closes.
“It’s great to be involved in this new launch with Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste,” commented Chris Parker, who is the Store Manager at M&S Bolton Middlebrook.
“Our in-store bakeries are incredibly popular with customers, and at the end of the day, customers will now be able to order and collect surprise bags offering fantastic surplus bakery products at great value.
“By finding new ways to re-purpose surplus products, we’re helping ensure more food is enjoyed rather than wasted. This partnership is another positive step towards reaching our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
The Manc -
20th October 2020 
