DOZENS of empty plates were left outside the offices of two Bolton MPs this morning in protest against them voting against plans to extend free school meals over the holiday period.
Both Chris Green, MP for Bolton West and Mark Logan MP for Bolton North voted against the motion to extend free school meals over school holidays until Easter 2021.
The motion was lost by 61 votes.
Following the vote businesses, groups and individuals have stepped in to ensure children in Bolton do not go hungry over the half-term period.
Today's protest was organised by Bolton Trade Unions Congress (TUC).
A spokesman for Bolton TUC said: "Bolton TUC are gravely concerned about the plight of people in Bolton as we see the impact of government policy that sees in-work poverty rising.
"So today Bolton TUC, members of local political parties along with members of faith and community groups will visit the constituency offices of Chris Green MP and Mark Logan MP with a visual representation of our concerns about children going hungry during the coming Christmas holiday and to ask them to apply pressure, alongside Yasmin Qureshi MP, upon the government to put in place temporary measures that will see children provided with a nutritious meal every day until a permanent solution can be found.
"We have wrote to the MPs to invite them to meet with us in a covid safe environment."
The spokesman added: The governments decision to make sure young people could get a decent lunch while schools were closed over the Easter, half-term and the summer holidays was a massive relief to many which not only provided nutrition but a reduction in anxiety that relentlessly worrying about feeding children brings and we wholeheartedly hope that the three Bolton MPs will support our call that the same provision will be extended over the Christmas period.
"We are so proud to be part of the Bolton community that has pulled together with the council to intervene but the most vulnerable members of our community cannot be left to rely on the kindness of strangers which is why we are calling upon the government to come up with a permanent solution."
Protestors tidied after the protest and some plates were posted through the letterbox.
Both MPs have been approached for comment.
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