Nicola Sturgeon speaks out against 'jaw-dropping' comments on free school meals in England

Nicola Sturgeon has said that some quotes from Tory MPs speaking out in the free school meals debate have been ‘jaw dropping’.

Her comment was in reference to a campaign in England started by footballer Marcus Rashford to enable children to keep free school meals during the Christmas holidays.

This campaign was dealt a blow on Wednesday after MPs voted against the measure.

A Number 10 spokesman has said: "While schools continue to play an integral role in the community, it's not for them to regularly provide food during school holidays.”

Marcus Rashford responded to the vote, saying: “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."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also took to social media, sharing a tweet that contained a quote from Brendan Clarke-Smith, MP for Bassetlaw.

The quote said: “I do not believe in nationalising children. We need to get back to the idea of taking responsibility. This means less celebrity virtue signalling on Twitter by proxy"

Nicola Sturgeon has spoken out against Tory comments on free school meals.

Ms Sturgeon retweeted this, saying: “Some of the quotes from Tory MPs in the free school meals debate are genuinely jaw-dropping - feeding hungry kids is tantamount to ‘nationalising’ them says this one?!

(@scotgov has already committed to funding for free school meals during next Xmas, Feb & Easter hols)”

On Tuesday, the Scottish Government announced an extra £10 million to fund free school meals as well as with reimbursements for local authorities who provided provision over the October holiday.

The Welsh Government has made the same pledge.

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