'I will be your voice': Marcus Rashford vows to fight for UK’s hungry children after MPs reject free school meal plan

Manchester United player says politicians must ensure the most vulnerable are not left behind

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. AFP

Marcus Rashford has been made an MBE for services to vulnerable children in the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.. AFP

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford had successfully lobbied the UK government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy during lockdown. Reuters

Marcus Rashford vowed to continue fighting to protect the most vulnerable children.. AFP

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Reuters

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Reuters

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford. Reuters

Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford has hit out at British MPs after parliament rejected his campaign to extend free school meals over the coming holidays, as he pledged to be the voice of hungry children.

“Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics, and let’s focus on the reality. A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have been made today,” the 22-year-old told his 3.5 million followers on Twitter.

He urged politicians to forget party affiliations and come together to ensure the most vulnerable people are not left behind.

“I don’t have the education of a politician, many on Twitter have made that clear today, but I have a social education having lived through this and having spent time with the families and children most affected,” he wrote.

“These children matter. These children are the future of this country. They are not just another statistic. And for as long as they don’t have a voice, they will have mine. You have my word on that,” he said.

The Labour Party had urged Conservative MPs to back the proposals, which could see an additional 1.5 million children aged between seven and 16 receive extra support out of term time.

But MPs voted 322 to 261 against the Labour motion, which would have extended free school meals over the holidays until Easter 2021.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said the Conservatives had voted to let more than 1.4 million children eligible for free school meals go hungry through the holidays.

“Tonight I voted to feed our country’s vulnerable and needy children. The Tories voted to let them go hungry,” she said.

“I voted for workers facing hardship in areas under lockdown to get 80% of their incomes. The Tories voted against it. That’s all you need to know,” Ms Rayner added.

Some Conservatives, however, defended the decision with Nottingham MP Ben Bradley engaged in a Twitter exchange with Mr Rashford.

“Gov has lots of responsibilities: supporting the vulnerable, helping people to help themselves, balancing the books. Not as simple as you make out Marcus."

Mr Bradley said extending free school meals to the holidays "passes responsibility for feeding kids away from parents, to the State. It increases dependency".

The footballer forced a government back pedal in July when he ensured nearly 1.5 million youngsters could get free meals during the summer holiday.