FOOTBALLER Marcus Rashford’s petition to end child food poverty was debated by MPs today after more than 1.1 million people backed it.

The petition calls on the government to expand access to free school meals, provide meals and activities during school holidays, and expand the Healthy Start food vouchers scheme.

Following a high-profile campaign by Mr Rashford last year, the government was forced to U-turn on its decision not to provide free school meals to disadvantaged children over the summer holidays and the October half-term.