Good Morning Britain Hosts asked Robert Jenrick if he regrets voting against free school meals
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, appeared on Good Morning Britain today to discuss the Government’s plans to support vulnerable families during the coronavirus pandemic.
Co-host Alex Beresford, who took Piers Morgan’s place on today’s GMB show, questioned the Government minister over his decision to vote against free school meals in October last year.
‘Why did you vote against free school meals?’
‘We didn’t vote against free school meals.’
‘You specifically voted against free school meals. Not the voucher system.’
‘Let’s not get distracted on that.’
Kate and Alex challenge Robert Jenrick on free school meals. pic.twitter.com/YZu6ysKXhM
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 26, 2021
“We didn’t vote against free school meals, we’ve actually provided a government programme,” Jenrick said.
Co-host Kate Garraway was quick to interrupt him and said: “You did. You voted against it in October. You specifically voted against free school meals.
“Of course we now know that Boris Johnson has made something of U turn on that. Rang Marcus Rashford himself to inform him.”
Garraway asked the Housing Secretary whether, in the light of these events, he regrets voting against free school meals.
However, Jenrick steered away from answering the question in his response.
He said: “I mean, let’s not get distracted by that.”
“I don’t feel it is a distraction,” Kate interrupted him saying, “I feel it’s kind of critical,” she added.
Jenrick said: “That was an opposition day, parliamentary vote in the House of Commons.”
He said that he thought the issue itself is “clearly very important.”
Garraway once again asked the Government minister if he regrets making his vote against school meals.
Jenrick responded, saying: “I think tackling the issue of child hunger and poverty is absolutely critical. It’s always been important but it’s going to be even more so with all of the stresses and strains that we’ve seen on family life over the course of the pandemic.”
Garraway interrupted him again, repeatedly saying: “Sorry, but that isn’t really answering the question!”
Jenrick’s appearance on GMB comes after he announced the next phase of the government’s scheme to support thousands of vulnerable families across the UK.
The Housing Secretary @RobertJenrick has announced the next phase of our flagship programme to support vulnerable families.
Supporting Families is backed by £165 million & has benefited 870,000 families since 2015. pic.twitter.com/N7NaiZPSOy
— CCHQ Press (@CCHQPress) March 26, 2021
