Both of Northampton's MPs vote down free school meals extension scheme in Parliament

The town's two constituencies are both in the top third of the UK's most deprived
Northampton's two MPs, Andrew Lewer and Michael Ellis, both voted down a Labour motion to extend a free school meals voucher scheme.Northampton's two MPs, Andrew Lewer and Michael Ellis, both voted down a Labour motion to extend a free school meals voucher scheme.
Northampton's two MPs, Andrew Lewer and Michael Ellis, both voted down a Labour motion to extend a free school meals voucher scheme.

Both of Northampton MPs voted against last night's Labour motion to offer free school meals during holidays until 2021.

The campaign called on the Government to extend a voucher scheme set up to feed the country's most deprived children during school holidays until 2021.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The appeal was publicly spearheaded by footballer Marcus Rashford, who pressured the Government into extending the scheme over summer during the coronavirus pandemic. Hundreds of people in Northampton had signed the petition.

But at a Parliamentary vote last night, the Labour motion to free school meals to be offered over the school holidays until Easter 2021 was rejected by Conservative MPs by 322 votes to 261.

Northampton's two MPs, Michael Ellis and Andrew Lewer, both voted against extending the scheme.

The Chronicle & Echo has contacted both MPs' offices for a comment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

According to Government statistics, Northampton South - represented by Mr Lewer - is in the top-third of most deprived constituencies in the UK. Northampton North is in the top quarter.

In fact, areas such as St James End, Semilong, Barrack Road and Kings Heath are rated as the most highly-deprived a local area can be in the UK.

In England, households are eligible free school meals if they earn a maximum income of £7,400 a year after tax, not including any benefits.

Many families were issued vouchers or gift cards worth £15 each week per pupil to spend at supermarkets. The scheme reportedly cost the Govenment £20m a week over the summer holiday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Government says families are being supported by the Universal Credit scheme.

Northampton borough council Emma Roberts (Lab., Delapre & Briar Hill), who sits on the council's Food Poverty scrutiny panel, said: "It's an absolutely shocking result. The right thing to do would have been to extend the scheme.

"This wasn't something that was caused by the pandemic. A significant number of people with free school meals are not receiving benefits, and people receiving benefits are not receiving free school meals.

"A significant number of children will go hungry because of this, and what we should be saying in Northampton is 'not in our town'. Our MPs should be shouting that from the rooftops."