A Norfolk MP has hit out at the government's cut to national insurance, saying it will do nothing to help children in his constituency going hungry.

Norwich South Labour MP Clive Lewis spoke during a House of Commons debate on legislation which would bring in the national insurance contribution cut revealed in the Budget.

Eastern Daily Press: Chancellor Jeremy HuntChancellor Jeremy Hunt (Image: Press Association)

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt had announced a 2p cut in national insurance for employees and the self-employed.

But Mr Lewis said: "What does that mean for my constituency? What does that mean for people in my community?

"In Norfolk and Waveney, we have the highest rate of malnutrition in the UK.

"A little while ago I went to a school in my constituency in West Earlham. I was talking to the headteacher about a national article where children are now turning up to school, whose families routinely use food banks after 13 years of this government - who are turning up with bow legs… and I said to her, when you are teaching these children, how do you know they are hungry?

"She said ‘Well that's really quite clear, they eat the sand in the playground in the sand pit. That’s the kind of signs we look for, as teachers, to know these children are genuinely hungry’."

Mr Lewis said the national insurance cut would not solve problems with people accessing NHS dentists or prevent ambulance delays.

However, the cut, which would come in from April 6, has moved closer to becoming law after it cleared the House of Commons.

MPs voted 293 to 41, majority 252, to support the National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) (No. 2) Bill at third reading.

Eastern Daily Press: Gareth DaviesGareth Davies (Image: UK Parliament)

Treasury minister Gareth Davies said the government’s priority was to "return money to working taxpayers while keeping the public finances on track".

Mr Hunt also outlined a “long-term ambition” to scrap national insurance contributions completely.