Hitchin MP Bim Afolami: Why I voted down free school meals

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Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford has been one of many across the country including Hitchin and north Herts pushing for free school meals for children during half term and beyond.

The scheme would have seen more than 2,300 kids in Hitchin and north Herts handed £15 food vouchers every week including Christmas.

However, the Labour-led proposal, that could have meant youngsters would have also had free school meals up to next Easter was voted down 322 votes to 261.

Here's the Hitchin MP in his own words as to why he voted the way he did:

"The Government has put an additional £9 billion into the welfare system to combat poverty, including £63 million to help councils support families in need.

"This targeted support has provided 1.4 million children from low income families with free school meals.

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"Opposition day motions cannot change policy. This vote was never designed to achieve anything constructive for the poorest in this country.

"As with many of these high-profile political stunts, scratch beneath the headline and you'll find evidence that the government is doing its best to support vulnerable people at this difficult time.

"The moral criticism that 'Tories don't care' is not at all reflected in my own tenets, nor my colleagues, nor the demonstratable track record of this government."

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