Luton MPs: 'Government should have stepped up and provided free school meals'

Inspired by England footballer Marcus Rashford's campaign, last week's Labour motion was defeated by the Conservative government with a majority of 61 votes (322 to 261).

Since then, a host of local organisations have found solutions to help feed around 4,000 Luton children who claim free school meals over the half-term period (see here).

Luton's two MPs have both praised local efforts, while condemning the government's stance over the issue.

Luton South MP Rachel Hopkins said: “I am proud of how many Luton businesses and organisations have come together to support our town’s most vulnerable children and families, but it should have been the government that stepped up and provided free school meals over half-term.

"Before the pandemic, holiday hunger and child poverty were already urgent crises, and now more families are struggling to put food on the table due to the economic impact of coronavirus.

"No child should ever have to go hungry. I will continue working with campaigners and my Labour colleagues to press the government into a U-turn and to provide free school meals over the Christmas break.

"If you are a family in need of support, please go to Kids Meal Map to find out where you can access local support or contact my office on [email protected].”

As similar efforts are made around the country to support children, the government has faced pressure to rethink its position from its own advisory group, the Social Mobility Commission, as well as criticism from Children's Commissioner Dame Anne Longfield.

Luton North MP Sarah Owen added: "The community’s response has been heart-warming but the sheer level of need is heart breaking.

"No child should be going hungry in this country yet there are about four thousand children in need of free school meals in Luton alone and there are many more who will find this period difficult.

"This is why I wanted to see the free school meal programme extended over the holidays.

"Regardless of politics, I genuinely have no idea how any MP could have voted against feeding children and yet the Tories did - it beggars belief.

"We will continue to work and support Luton’s amazing voluntary organisations including the foodbank, Blessed Is Our Hands and Discover Islam as well as the many businesses that have stepped forward, to ensure Marcus Rashford’s campaigning is not in vain and that no child goes without.”