ISLAND MP, Bob Seely, has come under fire after voting against a motion for families of disadvantaged children to be provided with £15-a-week food vouchers.

Last night (Wednesday), Labour’s motion in parliament for free school meals to be extended over the holidays to stop children going hungry was defeated.

The motion, which would have seen 1.4 million disadvantaged children in England receive £15-a-week food vouchers during holidays until Easter 2021, was voted down by 322 votes to 261.

Bob Seely was among those who voted against it, and has since come under fire for his decision, with a number of Islanders expressing how disappointed they were in their MP's voting record.

Mr Seely says there is already substantial additional support for Islanders to ensure children and their families do not go hungry, and that he is working hard to ensure Islanders get the support they need.

Labour's Richard Quigley estimated on the Isle of Wight, £2,500-a-day was needed for food vouchers.

He said he was going to talk to the Isle of Wight Council about possible local solutions.

"Tonight (Wednesday), Bob Seely had a chance to prove he had Islanders' welfare at the top of his list," said Mr Quigley.

"He didn't. He voted against feeding children.

"He pretended to rebel against housing developments but couldn't fix his spine long enough to help where it matters.

"We are in dark times, and I apologise. I can't make enough difference to stop this morally bankrupt government."

In a statement released this morning, Mr Seely said: "I welcome the action that was taken to ensure that eligible children were still able to get free school meals during the period of partial school closures and over the summer holidays.

"While schools were restricted from opening to all pupils, additional support was given to families in recognition of the unprecedented levels of disruption and uncertainty for Island schools during this time.

"However, provision for free schools' meals is ordinarily term time only.

"There is already substantial additional support for Islanders to help families through this crisis and ensure children and their families do not go hungry.

"The government has put in £9 billion extra into welfare support already, and £63 million to help councils support families in need, so significant additional help is already going to families on the Island.

"I am very aware that many families are going through tough times at the moment, and this is reflected in the increasing numbers of children being registered for free school meals.

"On this matter, my team and I are working hard to ensure Islanders get the support they need.

"However, if you or your family are struggling, I urge you to contact me."

England and Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford, expressed his despair on Twitter following the news.

The 22-year-old, who has spoken of his own experience of food poverty growing up, has urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to sit down and discuss a solution.

The footballer told his 3.5 million followers on Twitter: “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.

"Our views are being clouded by political affiliation.

"This is not politics, this is humanity."