BRIDGWATER and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said he voted against a motion to extend free school meals for vulnerable families as it was 'open ended' and there was 'no indication as to how long it would remain operable.'

Six Somerset MPs voted down the plans, including Mr Liddell-Grainger.

A motion to extend the service, championed by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford, was defeated in the Commons on Wednesday by 322 votes to 261 - a majority of 61.

Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane), Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset), Marcus Fysh (Yeovil), David Warburton (Somerton and Frome), Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) and John Penrose (Weston super Mare) all voted against the motion.

Wells MP James Heappey did not vote.

READ MORE: Free school meals: How Somerset MPs voted on motion backed by Man Utd star Marcus Rashford

Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said: "I voted as I did because we were being presented with an open-ended scheme with no indication as to how long it would remain operable.

“No study had been carried out to accurately assess the need and therefore the financial implications and I could not commit the Government to supporting a measure whose cost was utterly unquantifiable.

“I have been written to by several constituents supporting the idea of free school meals in the holidays and citing a number of hardship cases which apparently exist locally.

"I have asked for specific names and addresses but have received no further information.

“I am completely aware of the hardships that some families are experiencing as a result of the ant-Covid measures but believe their best interests will be served by a clearly-targeted, individual approach, so if they would care to contact my office directly I shall do whatever I can to assist them.”