Boris Johnson is reportedly set to increase funding for the poorest families over Christmas in an attempt to defuse a Tory revolt over free school meals.
According to The Times, allies of the Prime Minister said work was underway on providing additional support for pupils outside of term time.
Though there was no immediate response to the reports from Downing Street.
Such a move would be seen as a partial climbdown by the government in its struggle with Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, who has been campaigning for free meals for children over the school holidays.
However, it is unclear whether it would be enough to defuse the growing anger on the Tory benches as more MPs continue to speak out against Downing Street’s handling of the issue.
Former immigration minister Caroline Nokes told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour there had to be a change of tack.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt about them having to take another look at it. I think it has to be quick and I think it has to be very very clear,” she said.
Scores of businesses and organisations across Greater Manchester – and the country – have pledged to offer free food to children from low income backgrounds after Tory MPs voted down a proposal to extend free school meal vouchers over the October half-term earlier this week.
