Banburyshire MP who voted against extending school meals over half term has welcomed county council's pledge to hand out vouchers

South Northants MP Andrea Leadsom has welcomed Northamptonshire County Council's pledge to fund free school meal vouchers over half term even though she voted with her government against it.
South Northants MP Andrea Leadsom who has welcomed Northants County Council's decision to fund meal vouchers for eligible children during the half termSouth Northants MP Andrea Leadsom who has welcomed Northants County Council's decision to fund meal vouchers for eligible children during the half term
South Northants MP Andrea Leadsom who has welcomed Northants County Council's decision to fund meal vouchers for eligible children during the half term

Mrs Leadsom said the money for the move had come from government in previous grants.

"I welcome the announcement by Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) that they will provide free school meal vouchers to children in the county who qualify for free school meals," she said.

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"This will be funded using the money received from central government and provided to NCC for Covid-19-related costs, which includes support for children.

"I and the other Northamptonshire MPs have been working with the county council throughout the coronavirus pandemic, including helping to secure various government grants and additional funding."

England and Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford led a huge campaign to provide 1.4m English children with £15-a-week food vouchers during holidays until next Easter. But after Labour proposed it in the House of Commons it was voted down by 320 Conservative MPs, including Oxfordshire's Conservative MPs.

Rashford's ongoing campaigning to help children from needy families to get enough to eat during the holidays has met with huge support from the public in the Banbury and Brackley area.

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Numerous cafes, fish and chip shops and other organisations across the Banbury area have taken inspiration from the footballer and offered free lunches to children who are eligible for free school meals.

And now Northamptonshire's most vulnerable children WILL receive vouchers - worth £15 a week - after the county council promised to fund it.

On Sunday, Northamptonshire County Council leader Matt Golby tweeted: "I am pleased to announce @mycountycouncil will fund free school meal vouchers for half term following a request from the NCC cabinet and working closely with our seven Northamptonshire MPs."

Details on how the scheme will work are yet to be released.