Parliamentary reporter @TrinderMatt

CHILDREN could miss out on over 24 million meals this summer, Labour analysis has revealed, after the Tories refused to fully extend free school meals during the holidays.

Yesterday the party slammed the government’s “utterly shocking” alternative holiday programme, which proposes free meals for pupils who attend holiday activities on just 16 (four days a week for four weeks) of the 30 weekdays during the break, leaving children without food support for two weeks. 

Labour called on ministers to trust parents and enable a system of cash payments for meals support throughout the holidays, ensuring families can choose the food and supplies that are right for their children and get better value.