Debates between Rebecca Long Bailey and Angela Eagle during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Free School Meals: Summer Holidays

Debate between Rebecca Long Bailey and Angela Eagle
Tuesday 16th June 2020

(4 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Rebecca Long Bailey Portrait Rebecca Long Bailey
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I thank the hon. Member for his comments. I await with bated breath the details of the Secretary of State’s summer scheme—I have some ideas to suggest to him for how it might be rolled out. Indeed, there is a wider suite of support that our children will need throughout the pandemic and as we exit lockdown. Tackling poverty is just one element.

Angela Eagle Portrait Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab)
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Is my hon. Friend as surprised as I am, if the Government always intended to do this, that they sent out the Transport Secretary and the Work and Pensions Secretary to embarrass themselves defending the indefensible?

Rebecca Long Bailey Portrait Rebecca Long Bailey
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All I will say is that I am happy we have reached the point we have today, although it should not have taken a public campaign from a well-known national hero to push the Government into making this decision. That said, they have made that decision and we take these small wins where we can find them.