THE owner of a Falmouth beach cafe has called for "more kindness in politics" after an embarrassing second U-Turn by the Government over free school meals forced by campaigning footballer Marcus Rashford.

Fiona Crump, the owner of Castle Beach Cafe says she was "overwhelmed" by offers of support and money after she posted a pledge on Facebook before the last half-term to make free school meals for any child who would normally receive a free school lunch.

It was after a motion in parliament, calling for free school meals to be extended into the holiday and the Christmas school holidays, was voted against by a majority of MPs - including all six in Cornwall.

Her post was shared by more than 3,000 people, with Manchester United and England football player Marcus Rashford - who was leading the call for the government to extend meal coverage during holidays and end child food poverty - retweeting a photo of it.

The government had already been forced into one U-Turn over free school meals following a campaign by Mr Rashford during the earlier lockdown. Now the government has been forced to carry out another embarrassing climbdown following the footballer's latest campaign.

Welcoming the news Fiona said it was sending a message to our elected representatives: "During an interview about free school meals I was asked if I thought that the government would change its policy regarding support during the school holidays. I said that I thought it unlikely. I am very happy to be proven wrong.

"Ordinary people across the country rallied together and provided lunches for thousands of families during half term. In doing so they showed the government that we are a nation that cares about poverty, that cares about the vulnerable and that cares about each other.

"If we want to see more kindness in politics we need to keep on sending that message to all our elected representatives.”

Over half term she says she made and gave out 189 free packed lunches to children from the community. In addition, thanks to local peoples' generosity, she raised enough money to pay £6,200.00 to local foodbanks.

£1,550 to Falmouth Salvation Army Church And Community Centre for their foodbank, £1,550.00 to Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank and £3,100 to CPR FoodBank for the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area.

She said: "We actually had a total of £6300.00 but there was an admin fee of £50 on a funding page which leaves me with £50. I will make that up to £60 and donate it to the Falmouth emergency food parcel initiative where it will pay for three emergency food boxes at Christmas.

"And we are done. Phew!

"Thank you all so much for your kindness. I think this happened at a time when we all needed to be reminded just how much love and kindness there is in the world. You are all amazing."

Posting on Twitter Marcus Rashford said he had spoken to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the phone yesterday after Manchester United's 3-1 victory over Everton.

"Following the game today, I had a good conversation with the prime minister to better understand the proposed plan, and I very much welcome the steps that have been taken to combat child food poverty in the UK," he said.

He says there is still much to do and he is still concerned about the 1.7m children who miss out on receiving free school meals but says the Government's decision should be welcomed.

"The intent the government have shown today is nothing but positive and they should be recognised for that.The steps made today will improve the lives of near 1.7 million children in the UK over the next 12 months, and that can only be celebrated."

The government says it will now spend more than £400m to support poor children and their families in England.

A winter grant scheme, to be run by councils, will provide support with food and bills, and a holiday food and activities programme is to be expanded.

The move represents a climbdown for the government, which had said Universal Credit was the best way to help.

From the package of support, a £170m ring-fenced fund will be distributed through councils, with at least 80% earmarked for help with food and bills.

This will receive funding from the beginning of December until the end of March.

The holiday food and activities programme will be expanded with a £220m investment to cover Easter, summer and Christmas in 2021.

On top of that, there will be a £16m cash boost for the nation's food banks.