Boris Johnson faces Tory revolt over free school meals Coronavirus latest news: Twelve-minute tests available in Boots 'within a fortnight' Brexit talks could see Merkel intervene after France refused fishing compromise MPs resort to office 'speakeasies' after Speaker shuts Commons' bars Nick Timothy: Brexit and Biden demand a bold new British foreign policy Subscribe to The Telegraph The Health Secretary has conceded there is a question about how England's poorest children are fed during school holidays, amid growing speculation that Number 10 is readying a concession. Matt Hancock defended the Government's position on free school meals today, saying "of course" ministers believed that "no child should go hungry", and that he had been inspired by the campaign led by England footballer Marcus Rashford. He told Sky News: "I agree very strongly with the purpose of the campaign... the purpose is that no child should go hungry. The question is how we fulfill that." During an interview with BBC Breakfast he dodged a question about whether central Government would hand local authorities more cash, repeatedly highlighting the £63m councils were given during the summer as being intended for this kind of support. He said it was "absolutely wonderful" that private businesses were supplying meals for children during the half-term break and "brilliant" that councils were coming forward - despite the vast majority of these organisations saying they were doing so because of Government failure. Tory councils including Hillingdon - which is in Boris Johnson's constituency - Medway and Wandsworth are among those stepping into the breach. It comes amid growing anger on the backbenches, with MPs being contacted by outraged constituents. Senior Tories including Bernard Jenkin and Caroline Nokes attacked Number 10's position over the weekend, while Labour has said it will table another motion for Christmas holidays if there is no U-turn.
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