South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge has voted against extending the school meals voucher scheme, which affects pupils on the Shotley peninsula and beyond.

Mr Cartlidge was one of 300 Conservative MPS that refused to back the Labour motion which called for the scheme to be extended over school holidays until Easter 2021, to help feed more than 1.4 million hungry children in vulnerable families in the UK.

Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford was one of many people who were dismayed at the vote and said: "Put aside all the noise, the digs, the party politics and let's focus on the reality.

"A significant number of children are going to bed tonight not only hungry but feeling like they do not matter because of comments that have been made today.

"We must stop stigmatising, judging and pointing fingers. Our views are being clouded by political affiliation. This is not politics, this is humanity."

Mr Cartlidge has not yet commented on his reasons for voting against extending the food voucher scheme.