Thousands of British children to receive food from local communities amid Tory rebellion

Owner Keith Perryman (left) and staff Helen Manning and Owen Kirkwood prepare sandwiches in The Watering Can, in Greenbank Park, Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

Thousands of free meals will be provided to children by businesses, local authorities and community groups on the first day of half term as the British government faces a damaging revolt on the issue.

Dozens of people from a range of organisations have stepped in to help, with UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailing them as “absolutely wonderful” while insisting that millions has already been provided to councils to help their communities.