A bid to extend free school meals for the poorest children over the school holidays was defeated in a Commons vote on Wednesday evening (October 21).
The bid, tabled by Labour, was defeated by 322 votes to 261 - with a majority of 61.
It came after Number 10 ruled out pleas from MPs to support Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to guarantee meals during holidays for the poorest children as the pandemic's second wave hits.
He wanted the Government to agree to feed more than 1.4 million children during school breaks until Easter next year. Mr Rashford was successful in forcing a u-turn on the same matter earlier in the year.
He wrote on Twitter: "A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of the comments that have been made today."
Following the defeat, a number of businesses across the county have offered to plug the gap by offering free food to kids.
Which businesses have we missed? Let us know in our Facebook comments.
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5. Jennings Gym, Mill Lane
Jennings Gym in Mill Lane said: "Well this government has decided to stop feeding children during the school holidays so we've decided we'll help in our own small way to help struggling families. "We are looking for meal prep companies to help with food. We have funding for this project so please get in touch or tag someone you may know who can help."
6.
Rora's Desserts will be offering packed lunches which include a sandwich, a packet of crisps, a drink. a piece of fruit and a slice of chocolate brownie. They said: "Here at Rora's desserts and being parents of our own two children, we have decided over half-term in Chorley we are going to be happily providing free packed lunches to families that need a little extra help."