LOCAL MP, Andrew Murrison, has explained his reasons for voting against the motion to offer free school meals during holidays until Easter 2021.
The Conservative MP has told White Horse News that there is “sufficient’ support for those that need it through the government’s “array of funding and welfare schemes”.
Last week, MPs rejected the Labour party motion to make free school meals available outside term time to eligible pupils for the next six months, including over the Christmas and Easter holidays, by 322 votes to 261, sparking widespread criticism.
In a statement to White Horse News, Andrew Murrison MP said, “On 21st October, Labour held a non-binding vote on extending free school meals outside of term time. I voted with the Government’s amendment on this motion, which states: ‘That this House notes that schools are now fully operational following the Covid-19 outbreak, and will continue to offer free school meals in term time; welcomes the substantial support provided by the Government to children worth £550 million annually; further welcomes that this support has been bolstered by almost £53 billion worth of income protection schemes, and £9.3 billion of additional welfare payments; notes that eligible families have also been supported throughout lockdown through the receipt of meal vouchers worth £380 million while schools were partially closed, alongside the Holiday Activities and Food Fund; and further supports the Government in its ongoing activities to help the most vulnerable children in society.’
“I would additionally specify that Universal Credit has been increased by £1,000 for families who need it; £63m has been provided to councils as a safety net, if they so require; and £16m has been provided for food charities.
“I am grateful for the correspondence I have received about providing free school meals outside of term time. It is currently half term, and I believe the Government is sufficiently supporting those who need it through its array of funding and welfare schemes.”
The Government has also come under fire from professional footballer, Marcus Rashford, who this year successfully forced a Government U-turn on free school meal vouchers for eligible pupils over the summer holidays.
But echoing Andrew Murrison’s comments, the Government has stood firm, explaining that enough support is available for families facing hardship and that it will not be extending a school meal voucher scheme.
