CAFES, pubs and restaurants across the country have stepped up to offer free school meals for local children during half term, after MPs rejected a campaign started by footballer Marcus Rashford.

A vote on the measures was backed by Labour and made its way to Parliament this week, but it was defeated by 322 votes to 261.

The Scottish Government has already planned on continuing free school meals for the upcoming holidays but dozens of hospitality businesses in England have had to step in to support families.

Among them is Andrew Mahon, who helps manage Aubergine Cafe in the Wirral, alongside his wife May. The couple are offering a free sandwich, cup of soup and piece of fruit to children over half term.

He said: “My wife and I, we saw the vote in Parliament. And we were a bit dumbstruck. It seems like such an own goal by Parliament.

“They are talking about trying to balance the books, but you don’t do that by letting kids fall destitute in the middle of a national health emergency.”

READ MORE: Douglas Ross's free school meals tweet comes back to haunt him after Commons vote

Mahon said for every request for help they have had, they have received more than 20 times as many offers of support, with people asking to donate money to help pay for the meals.

He said: “It’s very heartening. We weren’t expecting it.”

The acts of generosity come amid a difficult time for the hospitality industry, with many business owners struggling to cope with the effects of coronavirus restrictions on their trade.

Rashford, who was recently awarded an MBE after forcing a Government U-turn on free school meal vouchers over the summer holidays, said he was “blown away” by the offers of support, and has been retweeting businesses offering free meals.

“Selflessness, kindness, togetherness, this is the England I know,” the Manchester United footballer tweeted.

“Add #ENDCHILDFOODPOVERTY to your tweets so I can track them. I will share as many as I can.”

 

 

A number of councils have also said they will offer free school meals for children.

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said he would fund free school meals over half term, feeding approximately 19,800 children.

Labour-led Hammersmith and Fulham Council will give every pupil in need free school meal vouchers, equivalent to a £3 Tesco meal deal per day.