Johnson looks to defuse Tory rebellion over free school meals

Boris Johnson is reportedly planning to increase funding for the poorestfamilies over Christmas in an attempt to head off a damaging revolt over freeschool meals.

The Times quoted allies of the Prime Minister as saying work wasunder way on providing additional support for eligible pupils outside termtime.

There was no immediate response to the reports from Downing Street.

Sucha move is likely to be seen as a partial climbdown by the Government in itsstruggle with footballer Marcus Rashford, who has been spearheading demandsfor free meals to be extended in England over the school holidays.

However, itwas unclear whether it would be enough to defuse the growing anger on the Torybenches as more MPs continued to speak out against the Government’s handlingof the issue.