A SOUTH Lakes MP has urged the Government to change their stance, after they voted against extending free school meals during the October half term.

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, called on the Government to provide free school lunch meals during the Christmas holidays, as he reacted to proposals from the Government to divert funding to the UK's poorest families.

“The devastating reality is there are kids here in the South Lakes and across the country who won’t be fed properly this half term week – and they really needed Conservative MPs to act last week, not for them to make vague promises of jam tomorrow,” he said.

“With furlough ending and more families being plunged into real hardship, I want to hear from the Government what their plan is to support vulnerable children over the Christmas holidays.

“Although for some ‘u-turn’ may be an ugly word, I know many of us would actually give the Government credit if they had the decency to put their hands up, say that they got it wrong and pledged to provide free school meals over the Christmas break.”

However MP for Furness, Simon Fell, said he did not think meal vouchers were the right way to help struggling families.

“This isn’t a debate about the merits of Free School Meals, or whether we should help those who are struggling as a result of this crisis,” he said.

“It’s about the best way to help them. I don’t believe that vouchers are the best way of getting support to children or families in need - instead, targeted support is.

“That’s why we’ve increased Universal Credit so that every family in receipt is £20 per week better off, every week.

“And it’s why we funded local authorities to direct support to those who need it the most.”