Matt Hancock dodges questions over extra money for poorest families in free school meals row

Health secretary’s comments come as backbench Tories urge U-turn on issue

Matt Hancock has repeatedly dodged questions over whether the government is planning extra financial support for local authorities amid a major row over free school meals for the poorest children.

It comes amid reports that No 10 is planning a partial U-turn over the issue after rejecting pleas last week from England footballer Marcus Rashford, who has been urging ministers to extend free school meals over the holidays.

Since voting against Labour’s motion to extend the programme over the half-term and Christmas holidays last week, Conservative MPs have been inundated with correspondence from angry members of the public and businesses have stepped in to provide support.

Despite praising the eloquence of Mr Rashford’s campaign, the health secretary insisted on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that government had already given councils a £63m cash boost to assist those struggling to afford food and other essential items.

“I accept, and I firmly believe, we should all come together to ensure that no child should go hungry,” he said. “That’s the central insight behind what Marcus Rashford is arguing for – he’s making the case with such strong eloquence and speaking authentically from personal experience.”

But pressed on whether the government was planning extra support in the wake of the campaign, he replied: “There’s constantly, constantly work ongoing with councils, especially given their finances have been hard hit by the pandemic, to ensure they can provide the services they need to.”

Questioned again, the health secretary added: “The extra money that has gone into councils as I say, including for this purpose. So central government, councils, and private companies are all playing a role in trying to support the goal we all share, which is that no child should go hungry."

Asked other the government was “closing the door” on doing more, he went on: “Obviously it’s not my area of policy to speak about. What I’m saying is that our attitude and our purpose is to ensure everybody gets the support they need and no child goes hungry.”

His remarks follow increasing pressure from Tory backbenchers to U-turn on the decision not to extend free school meals for disadvantaged pupils and the children’s commissioner, Anne Longfield, saying that she was “horrified” by the refusal.

Tim Loughton told the BBC’s The World This Weekend: "If we have another vote I will vote to extend school meals during the Christmas holidays and until the pandemic is over."

Another former Tory minister, Tobias Ellwood, told Times Radio he regretted voting against providing free school meals over the holidays in England last week.

Tory MP Bernard Jenkin, the chairman of the powerful Commons Liaison Committee, also appeared to suggest his party could lose another vote, which Labour has pledged to hold before the end of the year.  

“I think the government will probably have to think again, “ he said, “particularly if there are going to be more votes in the House of Commons”.