How Bury's MPs voted on call to extend free school meals

One of Bury's MPs voted against it, while the other didn't vote.

James Daly, Conservative MP for Bury North, voted against it, while Christian Wakeford, Conservative MP for Bury South, did not vote either way.

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford had urged politicians to “unite” to protect the most vulnerable children and vowed to continue campaigning, writing on Twitter: “For as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine.”

He released a statement after Labour’s motion, which called for the scheme to be extended over school holidays until Easter 2021, was defeated by 261 votes to 322 – a majority of 61.

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, 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.”