SHIPLEY MP Philip Davies has spelled out why he joined hundreds of other MPs in voting down an opposition motion to extend free school meals over half term breaks until Easter next year.

The bid, tabled by Labour, to give each disadvantaged child a £15 a week food voucher, was defeated by 322 votes to 261. Only five Conservatives rebelled, but Mr Davies and Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore voted with the government.

Mr Davies said: “I take the view that parents should be primarily responsible for feeding their children rather than schools or the state.

“That never used to be a contentious view - including when Labour refused to do this after the financial crash when they were in government - and I am very sad that it has become so.

“The motion was not seeking this support for children as an absolute last resort in the most exceptional circumstances - which I would support - but wanted this to happen as a matter of course for huge numbers.

“The government have already increased the welfare budget by £9bn in order to help families most in need.

“I absolutely don’t have a problem with giving further help to people as a last resort in exceptional circumstances. But I can’t support the state being the first port of call for providing food for children - that should always be the parents.”