MPs have voted against Labour's motion to extend free school meals over school holidays until Easter 2021.

The motion was defeated by 322 votes to 261 – a majority of 61 – in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The bid was the idea of England footballer Marcus Rashford.

The Manchester United player 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."

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."

St Helens South and Whiston Labour MP Marie Rimmer voted in favour of the motion as did Labour MP for St Helens North Conor McGinn

 

Five Conservatives voted with the opposition.

Ms Rimmer tweeted: "Over 1.4 million children could go hungry if enough Conservative MPs don't listen to

@MarcusRashford

"No child in our country should be going hungry. It really is that simple."