MARCUS RASHFORD’S petition calling on the government to free school meals to children in need during the holidays has surpassed 1 million signatures today.

The 22-year-old Manchester United footballer launched the petition on 15 October. It calls on the government to expand free school meals to all under-16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or equivalent benefit; provide meals & activities during all holidays and increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week and expand the scheme.

Last week Conservative MPs voted against a motion to provide free meals to disadvantaged children around the country during the school holidays.

The government’s failure to support the campaign has not deterred Rashford from his goal.

Following the motion’s defeat in the House of Commons, he urged the public to support the petition and his perseverance and pleas have been met with an outpouring from local and national businesses and restaurants, and councils pledging their support to feed the country’s poorest children.

Earlier this year prime minister Boris Johnson made a u-turn on refusing to extend free school meals throughout the summer holidays but he has refused to do the same for the October half-term and Christmas holidays.

Rashford, who was awarded an MBE for his campaigning efforts to end child poverty in England, is now set to receive another honour – the freedom of the City of Manchester award.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Manchester, councillor John Leech, said: “Despite being a Manchester City fan, I think it’s fair to say that Marcus Rashford has probably done more to highlight and raise the issue of child poverty in the last six months than any politician has managed in the last 25 years.

“Rashford’s campaign has had a significant impact here in Manchester––where we represent some of the most deprived families in the country––and across the whole of the UK.”

Leech added: “There’s no doubt in my mind that he is a worthy recipient.”