Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has defended his decision to vote against an extension to free school meals for children in England.
Mr Mundell and his Tory counterpart, Dumfries and Galloway MP Alister Jack, were two of 322 MPs who voted down a Labour motion to offer free school meals until Easter 2021.
The UK Government has received widespread criticism in the aftermath of a campaign by Manchester United star Marcus Rashford.
Mr Mundell said: “The Scottish Conservatives support the aims of the campaign by Marcus Rashford, which has been inspirational.
“Although a huge amount of extra funding has been put in place in England, it is clear the UK Government must take Marcus’ campaign into serious consideration and listen to the wide range of voices in support of this policy ahead of any future vote.
“I do recognise the concerns about Scottish MPs voting on matters that relate only to England and so I welcome the fact that Scottish Conservatives’ leader Douglas Ross has made clear Scottish Conservative MPs will not take part in further votes on any matter that relates to England only.
“I want to focus on Scotland and so I urge the SNP to bring forward a vote in the Scottish Parliament to implement the policy of free breakfast and lunches for all primary pupils, which was put forward by Douglas Ross recently. It is the SNP blocking the expansion of free school meals in Scotland.”
Alister Jack’s team passed the request on to the UK Government’s media office.
A spokesperson said: “Now that 99 per cent of state-funded schools are open, we are resuming normal service, with free school meals intended to support pupils while they are learning.”
SNP MSP Emma Harper said yesterday: “No matter how hard they try, the Tories won’t be able to squirm their way out of this one.
"I would jump at the opportunity to extend free school meals to all school pupils and I hope David Mundell will join me in calling on his Westminster bosses to hand Holyrood the money to make this a reality.”
