A NEW ‘Covid Winter Grant Scheme’ has been announced to support vulnerable families after MPs rejected extending the Free School Meal scheme.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh voted against the FSM extension, but has backed the new package for families in need.

The free meal extension campaign was famously spearheaded by Man Utd footballer Marcus Rashford.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson phoned Rashford on Saturday to alert him to the decision to lay on £170million of extra funding for the measure.

Rashford said he was “so proud” of those who had united behind his campaign and that he was “overwhelmed by the outpouring of empathy and understanding”, promising his supporters to “fight for the rest of my life” to end child hunger in the UK.

Following the Government announcement, MP Fysh added: “The new Covid Winter Grant Scheme is a much more rounded package for children than extending free schools meals through the holidays, and builds on the Government support for families throughout this year.

“Somerset will get more than £1.5million, with at least 80 per cent of this earmarked to support hardest hit families with the cost of food and bills.

“It also moves away from the idea that schools should be responsible for feeding children through the year, with Local Authorities instead making sure this money gets to those who need it the most, and further funding provided to charitable organisations.

“The Holiday Activities and Food Programme is being extended throughout next year giving children learning and exercise as well as food.

“There is also funding of £16m for food distribution charities in addition to the £9.3 billion increase to the welfare safety net.”