Anger as Hinckley and Bosworth's Tory MP votes against free school meals

There's been an angry response to the seven Leicestershire Conservative MPs, including the MP for Hinckley and Bosworth voting down proposals for free school meals to continue during the holidays.

Over 7,000 children in Leicestershire are entitled to free school meals and are likely to be affected by the decision.

Responding to the news Hinckley Borough and County Councillor Michael Mullaney said "This is a really cruel vote by our local Conservative MPs. To deny free school meals during the holidays to some of the poorest local children is an appalling decision. I commend the campaign by Marcus Rashford and others to ensure that all children who need them get free school meals.

"Whilst some Tory MPs rebelled and voted in favour of free school meals, unfortunately our Conservative MP for Bosworth just votes for whatever Boris Johnson tells him to. On this issue and many other issues our Tory MP just puts Boris before Bosworth every time.

"I hope the government will listen to the outcry locally and nationally change it's mind and provide these free school meals. In Wales where we have a Lib Dem Education Secretary Kirsty Williams they are continuing to provide free school meals to children. Children here in England, in Hinckley and the rest of Leicestershire deserve them too. Its time the Conservative government and local Tory MPs did the right thing and supported continuing free school meals during the holidays."