THE debate on whether or not free school meals should be extended into the holidays for families and children in need has divided our readers.

Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford MBE had backed the campaign, stressing the need for struggling children to have access to food when not at school.

After putting the question to readers of the Gazette, more than 200 people voiced their opinion, arguing for and against the extension of the free school meals scheme.

Mel Edwards, a single mum, argued she has struggled at times to provide, but has always found a way to ensure her children are fed.

“I can’t understand why we have to supply free school meals during holidays,” she said.

“I am a single parent who works, gets little help, was furloughed for six months and had no financial help whatsoever.

“But I still managed, I may have struggled at times, but I managed, and it annoyed me to see how much help people on benefits got and still had the audacity to moan.”

Others, however, took issue with the fact their local MPs and the Government voted against the motion.

Sharon Munsey said: “It’s disgraceful. Shows how uncaring this Government is and how out of touch with reality its ministers are.

“They should live on minimum wage or Universal Credit for a month with none of their comforts or comfy cushions to see how impossible it is. I am appalled.”