HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has said he may vote with Labour in a vote of free school meals.

Labour’s Opposition Day debate, due to be take place in the Commons on Wednesday, calls for the provision of free school meals to be extended over each school holiday from October half term to Easter 2021. 

The first holiday, the October half term, starts in most areas next week.

Mr Halfon told Radio 4 on Wednesday morning that he believes free school meals should continue over school holidays.

Mr Halfon said: “The government needs a long term plan and sit down with the Taskforce group set up by Marcus Rashford.

“All the statistics show that families are struggling. The free school meals should continue until we are out of the coronavirus pandemic, hopefully, next spring.”

When asked how he will vote, Mr Halfon said: “I will either vote for the motion (with Labour) or abstain, depending on what the government says.

“I don’t know yet what the government plan is”

Later on England and Manchester United footballer, Marcus Rashford said (on Twitter). “I will be playing close attention to the Commons today and to those who are willing to turn a blind eye to the needs of our most vulnerable children, 2.2M of them who currently qualify for Free School Meals. 42% newly registered. Not to mention the 1.5M children who currently don’t qualify”