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:
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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.”
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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.
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“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
Manchester crowned UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Prague, Amsterdam, Benidorm, and now… Manchester?
Jetting off to some of Europe’s cheapest capital cities for a boozy night out with your mates before tying the knot is pretty common-place in the world of stag do culture nowadays.
But some new research has now revealed the UK cities that deliver a legendary last hurrah without the price tag, or the need to hop on a plane.
Chillisauce, the UK’s leading hen and stag organiser, has analysed 81,000+ recent group bookings alongside survey feedback from 4,738 stag groups, cross-referenced against live 2026 travel fares, accommodation, and pint prices.
To devise its top 10 list, real price data has been blended with verified group satisfaction to guarantee stags and their pals the best experience.
With the pull of a major city with music, sport, food, and nightlife without London prices, Manchester was crowned the best-value city for a stag do in 2026 overall.
Manchester has been crowned the UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council | shawnanggg (via Unsplash)
The average pint runs a little higher in Manchester than the smaller cities on the list, but groups rated the sheer scale and quality of the night out well above the cost, calling it ‘much more affordable than the South of England’ and ‘cheaper than London’.
For a weekend in Manchester, research found that the average cost per person includes £86.36 for accommodation, £36.66 for an activity, £25.08 for a drinks package, £29.35 for a meal, and the average pint coming in at £6.
“We send thousands of groups to Prague, Amsterdam, and Benidorm every year,” said Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce,”but Manchester keeps delivering nights out that groups tell us beat their expectations.
“There are also those only-in-Manchester touches too, like catching a match at Old Trafford or the Etihad on the same trip.
“Groups describe the locals as up for a laugh and the whole city as ‘built for a stag weekend,’ with a huge number of them already planning to go back, which is the real test of a great destination.”
Other northern destinations on the top 10 list include Newcastle, Leeds, and Liverpool.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off
Emily Sergeant
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off.
Okay, so it’s not technically closing down per se, but the current LOFT premises off Hyde Road near Piccadilly will officially close doors on 30 September, as the business consolidates its operations and relocates to its newly completed headquarters over at Trafford Park.
Unlike a typical closing-down sale, the stock isn’t old or unwanted. Instead, it’s a live snapshot of LOFT’s day-to-day business, and everything must go.
LOFT is known for furnishing properties across the build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, private rented, and social housing sectors, and that constant turnover naturally generates surplus – whether it be project overstock, end-of-line pieces or discontinued items making way for new collections.
The move over to Trafford Park is said to be a moment to clear the warehouse ‘completely’ and start the new chapter with a clean slate.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off / Credit: Supplied
This means that everything, from sofas and beds, to dining sets, armchairs, and home accessories, must go before the move, with prices already reduced by 50 to 70% below RRP.
Benjamin Hall, who is the Founder and CEO of LOFT, says this is the ‘biggest and best value’ sale the company has ever offered.
He explained: “As we settle into our new home at Trafford Park, we want a completely clean slate. Whether you’re a homeowner after a one-off bargain, or a landlord, agent or developer furnishing multiple units on a budget, there has never been a better time to visit.”
The Manc -
20th October 2020 
