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Tories in turmoil over Marcus Rashford's free school meals drive as MPs spark outrage and Downing Street refuses to back down - but poll shows 71% of voters support the footballer's campaign

Downing Street insisted yesterday that it would not back down over footballer Marcus Rashford's campaign for free school meals – as Tory party rifts over the issue burst out into the open.

Two Tory MPs were criticised for controversial remarks about the Manchester United player's call for the meals to be funded over the school holidays until Easter 2021, with one suggesting that the money went to 'crack dens and brothels'.

The other implied hospitality firms which stepped in to offer free food did not need Government help.

It came as No 10 moved quickly to stress that an aide to Chancellor Rishi Sunak who promised a 'detailed statement' on the issue was speaking in a personal capacity and not signalling a U-turn.

Downing Street yesterday insisted it would not back down on calls made by the Manchester United player Marcus Rashford for school meals to be funded over the school holiday until Easter 2021

Downing Street yesterday insisted it would not back down on calls made by the Manchester United player Marcus Rashford for school meals to be funded over the school holiday until Easter 2021

A Deltapoll survey for today's Mail on Sunday found 71 per cent of voters support Rashford's campaign, with 18 per cent opposed.

The 22-year-old, who was made an MBE for his successful campaign for free meals to be issued during the national lockdown, launched his new drive after Parliament rejected proposals to provide the free meals for vulnerable children. 

The striker said that he was 'truly overwhelmed' by the fact that his online petition has garnered more than 700,000 signatures, and praised local communities for providing half-term, stop-gap measures.

Parliamentary adviser to Mr Sunak, Tory MP James Cartlidge –who was banned from a pub and restaurant in his constituency because he joined the vote against the free meals extension – defended the Government's position on Twitter by saying the criticism was 'wholly disproportionate... given we have the same reasonable position Labour had in every year of govt... that schools aren't responsible for feeding pupils outside term time'.

However, he added: 'But accept more to it than that & will make detailed stmt in due course'.

No 10 later clarified the MP was 'speaking in a personal capacity'.

Mansfield MP Ben Bradley triggered a storm by replying to a tweet in which another user described the free school meals programme as '£20 cash direct to a crack den and a brothel', by saying: 'That's what FSM vouchers in the summer effectively did...'

After he was accused of stigmatising working-class families, he said his remarks had been 'taken out of context', and claimed he meant giving children who live in difficult situations an 'unrestricted voucher to spend on whatever' wasn't 'helpful'.

And in a now-deleted post on Facebook, North Devon MP Selaine Saxby said: 'I am delighted our local businesses have bounced back so much after lockdown they are able to give away food for free, and very much hope they will not be seeking any further government support'. 

Conservative MP for Mansfield Ben Bradley triggered a storm by replying to a tweet about the free school meals campaign

Conservative MP for Mansfield Ben Bradley triggered a storm by replying to a tweet about the free school meals campaign

Meanwhile North Devon MP Selaine Saxby was also criticised for controversial remarks about the footballer's calls

Meanwhile North Devon MP Selaine Saxby was also criticised for controversial remarks about the footballer's calls

Ms Saxby also claimed she had been taken 'out of context'. 

Her controversial comments came just days after the MP was barred from a Devon pub because locals were angered by her voting against an amendment to the Agriculture Bill that would have helped to protect farmers against being bankrupted by cheap, substandard food imports as part of post-Brexit trade deals.

Responding to the offers of free food from tea rooms, churches, farms and takeaways, Rashford said: 'Even at their lowest point, having felt the devastating effects of the pandemic, local businesses have wrapped arms around their communities today, catching vulnerable children as they fell. 

'I couldn't be more proud to call myself British tonight.'

McDonald's has also offered support to families, announcing a partnership with food waste charity Fare Share UK to provide one million meals for families in need. 

Tory MP Robert Halfon, who voted in support of extending free school meal provision, said it should be a 'no brainer' for the PM to meet Rashford to come up with a free meals strategy.

Downing Street said: 'We are committed to making sure the most vulnerable in our society are protected and we've put in place a strong package of support to ensure children and their families do not go hungry during this pandemic.

'The Prime Minister has said free school meals will continue during term time and that he wants to continue to support families throughout the crisis so they have cash available to feed kids as they need to do.'

More than 740,000 people have already signed a petition to end subsidised meals for MPs after they voted against extending free school meals.  

Earlier this week, a motion to offer food aid to vulnerable families over school holidays until Easter 2021 was defeated in the House of Commons by 322 votes to 261. 

But the defeat sparked fierce backlash with Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, 22, who championed the campaign, calling on people to 'unite' to protect the most vulnerable children.

The latest petition, which was launched on 38 Degrees, said: 'MPs have voted against extending free school meals into the holidays for the poorest children in the UK, in the middle of a pandemic. 

'They should under no circumstances benefit from free or subsidised meals out of public funds themselves.'    

More than 740,000 people have already signed a petition to end subsidised meals for MPs after they voted against extending free school meals (parliamentary canteen pictured)

More than 740,000 people have already signed a petition to end subsidised meals for MPs after they voted against extending free school meals (parliamentary canteen pictured)

The petition has nearly reached its target of 800,000 signatures (figures earlier today)

The petition has nearly reached its target of 800,000 signatures (figures earlier today)

MPs are currently allowed to eat and drink alcohol in parliamentary restaurants and bars which, while not directly subsidised, run at a loss. Pictured: Members’ Dining Room menu in September 2019

MPs are currently allowed to eat and drink alcohol in parliamentary restaurants and bars which, while not directly subsidised, run at a loss. Pictured: Members' Dining Room menu in September 2019

MPs are currently allowed to eat and drink alcohol in parliamentary restaurants and bars which, while not directly subsidised, run at a loss.

This means that public money is effectively spent subsidising the overall catering operation.   

The petition has so far received more than 740,000 signatures out of its 800,000 target.

Portia Lawrie, who started the petition, said: 'I only started this petition because I was so angry that some MPs had rejected the chance in parliament, and Marcus Rashford's campaign, to extend free school meals into the school holiday.

'I wanted to point out the clear hypocrisy between that and the food and drink the public subsidise for MP's whilst denying support to those most in need of it.'

'I couldn't quite believe what I was watching unfold as hundreds of thousands of people threw their support behind it in less than 24 hours. 

'It's simply unfair that the government is refusing to use OUR money for one of the most basic responsibilities of a compassionate society - feeding hungry children. And the level of support this petition is getting shows clearly the level of hurt caused by those who voted against it.' 

The link to the petition has since been shared by a range of famous faces including actors Angela Griffin and Tamzin Outhwaite.

 

The link to the petition has since been shared by a range of famous faces including actors Angela Griffin and Tamzin Outhwaite

The link to the petition has since been shared by a range of famous faces including actors Angela Griffin and Tamzin Outhwaite

It comes after Rashford tonight tweeted to ask people to 'rise above' disappointment, describing abuse of MPs and their families in recent days as 'unacceptable' and unnecessary'.

He wrote: 'I want to take a quick second to acknowledge that a number of MP's, and their families, have received unacceptable abuse over the last couple of days, especially on Twitter.

'Believe me, as a Premier League player, I know all too well what that feels like, and it's unnecessary. We are all bigger than that.'

He said he cannot and does not condone personal attacks on females in particular.

Calling for 'collaboration' and 'togetherness', he added: 'Disappointment is a natural reaction, but we must rise above it.'

Earlier this week the athlete told BBC Newsnight that he 'couldn't be more proud to call myself British' after his campaign to provide free meals to children this Christmas sparked an outpouring of support on social media. 

Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, 22, who championed the campaign, called on people to 'unite' to protect the most vulnerable children

Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, 22, who championed the campaign, called on people to 'unite' to protect the most vulnerable children

The Manchester United footballer thanked hundreds of cafes, pubs and restaurants which came forward to offer half-term food for vulnerable children following the vote.

In a statement released to the flagship programme, the ace also responded to criticism of his decision to start the campaign, saying those who wanted to talk about 'celebrities' and 'superstars' would find them in his Twitter feed.  

Dozens of hospitality businesses have shown they 'stand with Rashford, not the 322' MPs who rejected the motion, by supporting families during the school holidays.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the England star said: 'Growing up we didn't have a lot, but we always had the safety net of the community. That community was my family. 

'When we stumbled, we were caught with open arms. Even at their lowest point, having felt the devastating effects of the pandemic, local businesses have wrapped arms around their communities today, catching vulnerable children as they fell.


Hospitality giants, councils and small firms rally to help vulnerable children

Local businesses and organisations:

Councils and regional authorities:

'I couldn't be more proud to call myself British tonight. I am truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. 

'You want to talk about 'celebrities' and 'superstars', look no further than my Twitter feed and that's exactly what you'll find.' 

Some business giants are involved in the campaign, with McDonald's set to deliver a million meals for children in the next few weeks. 

Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson backed a campaign to provide free meals to vulnerable children, seeing it pass £35,000. 

Ms Lawson tweeted: 'It shouldn't have to be this way, but it is more important to feed a hungry child than argue about how it's done.

'Or rather, donate if you can and then do what's necessary to stop those who make children going hungry policy.'

Councils including Redbridge Borough Council, Southwark Council, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Liverpool City Council also said they would help out.

And smaller firms such as Aubergine Cafe in the Wirral, which is managed by Andrew Mahon and his wife May, have launched their own rescue missions for children. 

Announcing plans for food vouchers via the Co-op, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham tweeted: 'Was good to tell @MarcusRashford that we, his home city-region, aim to be the first in the country to achieve his vision.'

After unveiling a similar scheme in his city, Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson tweeted: 'Families are struggling more than ever to make ends meet. No child should have to go hungry and in Liverpool we won't let them. Thanks for your hard work and campaigning @MarcusRashford.' 

A host of celebrities also offered their support to the England star, with journalist Caitlin Moran tweeting: 'Marcus Rashford's timeline swells your heart - people across the country doing something about feeding kids at Christmas.'

Musician Tim Burgess, a fellow Mancunian, tweeted: 'Wow, @MarcusRashford is a true hero of our times. So many MPs should feel shame over the fact that a footballer is helping the needy, more than they are.'

Support also came from across the football world, with ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker posting: 'Well played @MarcusRashford. Check his timeline. Extraordinary from a remarkable young man.'

A top regional Conservative politician has since waded in to the furore, blasting the Government's 'last-minute' decision-making.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said the Government should make 'a clear decision' on whether it would or would not fund free school meals over holidays 'well in advance'.

Asked if the Government should have to fund half-term meals, he said: 'I think - at the last minute - you probably do have to fund it, is the answer to that.'     

He added: 'It should not be a last-minute thing, this should be planned for, there should be a national approach on this.'

He said the lack of planning meant there was now an 'indiscriminate arrangement' across the country as to whether free school meals would be provided over the break.

McDonald's funding will enable charity FareShare to redistribute food to families who need it most in the coming weeks.

UK and Ireland CEO Paul Pomroy said: 'As a business we are committed to supporting and serving the communities in which we operate.

'In these challenging times, we know it's more important than ever to support those most in need.

'When we temporarily closed our restaurants in March, our people, franchisees and suppliers rallied to provide surplus food and support to food banks and charities.

'We were pleased that we were able to donate surplus food through FareShare and other organisations earlier this year, and we admire the fantastic work that FareShare continues to do to support families facing very tough situations.

'I am pleased to support the distribution of one million meals to the families most in need this Autumn, and I wish to thank and congratulate FareShare for everything they're doing.'

FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell added: 'McDonalds is showing real leadership in supporting the most vulnerable in society to get access to healthy food at this critical time.

'The funding will enable the equivalent of 1 million meals to be redistributed to our charity network very swiftly, and we are very grateful for their urgent support.' 

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