Law on 'holiday hunger' passed by Stormont assembly

A majority of 49 to 24 assembly members backed the legislation, which was proposed by Sinn Féin's Danny Baker and welcomed by some parents and charities.

Community and voluntary groups have been publicly supportive of the bill, with some staging a demonstration at Stormont on Monday in a bid to urge MLAs to get it over the finish line.

Education Minister Paul Givan described the bill as 'fiscally reckless', warning it would cost £20m to £30m a year and lead to cuts elsewhere within his Stormont department.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister added there was 'no such thing as a free lunch' and the legislation 'will require cuts to be made' to other services.

Stormont assembly members voted on the bill on Tuesday night after more than four hours of debate during its final stage in the chamber.

Louise McCullough, a mum-of-three from east Belfast, was among those who spoke at the event. She said her children receive free school meals and that she would be directly affected by the legislation.

'Holiday hunger' payments have been axed in Northern Ireland, with some arguing it is an attempt to undermine efforts to tackle poverty.