England football star Marcus Rashford’s bid to extend free school meals over the holidays was dealt a blow after MPs voted against the measure on Wednesday night.

Two Bolton MPs voted against the measure with one voting in favour of it.

Two Conservative MPs, Chris Green MP for Bolton West and Atherton and Mark Logan MP for Bolton North East, voted against the extension while Labour MP Yasmin Qureshi, of Bolton South East, voted in favour of it.

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford MBE posted on Twitter after the vote was made urging people to "stop stigmatising, judging and stop point fingers.

"This is not politics, this is humanity.

"We talk about the devastating impact of Covid-19 but, if projections are anything to go by, child food poverty has the potential to become the greatest pandemic the country has ever faced.

"We must start working together and unite to protect our most vulnerable children.

"These children are the future of this country. They are not just another statistic.

"And for as long as they don't have a voice, they will have mine. You have my word on that."

Downing Street ruled out performing a late U-turn ahead of the vote, with Boris Johnson also telling Prime Minister’s Questions: “We support kids on low incomes in school and we will continue to do so.

“But the most important thing is to keep them in school and not tear off into another national lockdown taking them out of school.

“We will continue to use the benefits system and all the systems of income to support children throughout the holidays as well.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden claimed the Government had not ignored Rashford on the issue.

He told ITV’s Peston: “Well, we are certainly not ignoring Marcus Rashford, and I pay tribute to the work he has done.

“It is a fantastic example – as a minister for culture and sport – seeing sportspeople playing such a leading role in the national debate.

“And we are committed to free school meals.”

Reacting to the vote, Labour shadow education secretary Kate Green said: “Boris Johnson and the Conservatives have badly let down more than one million children and their families.

“No child should go hungry over the holidays, but the Government is blocking the action needed to prevent this.

“We pay tribute to Marcus Rashford and others for shining a spotlight on this incredibly important issue.

“This campaign is not over and the Government must reconsider.”