BRADFORD Council is this week helping to feed disadvantaged children during the half-term school holiday.

The local authority donated £20,000 to food banks across the district and is working with community organisations to serve-up more than 10,000 meals to vulnerable families.

The initiative builds on the success of a scheme in the summer, when the council funded 45 charities and community organisations to run holiday clubs providing food and activities to school children.

Council leader, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said the decision to provide support this week was taken after a Commons motion to extend free school meals over the holidays was rejected.

She said: “At this time of national crisis it is the role of Government to step-up and support those who are struggling most.

“We were very disappointed in the result of the debate in the House of Commons. If successful, this would have supported Bradford-district families. The resulting outcry has been huge.

“We have stepped-in to help but it’s also great to see that businesses and voluntary sector organisations across the district are lending support. It’s a real team effort.”

Councillor Imran Khan, the deputy leader and portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said the move was “absolutely the right thing to do”. He added: “As a council, we felt compelled to step up. We are committed to ensuring no child goes hungry in Bradford district.”