HOW disappointing that the MP for Skipton and Ripon, Julian Smith, did not choose to vote to feed children during the school holidays.

The supermarkets have stepped in and offered to help and this is laudable, but it is not the answer. Feeding children should never be left to chance and charity, and it lets the government off the hook.

The Eat out to Help out scheme cost the government £522 million so far, and millions have been wasted on a track and trace system that creeks.

Extending the voucher scheme through the school holidays is a fraction of that cost.

Various government officials have said that it is the responsibility of parents to feed their children, but in times of crises, when so many have lost jobs or had their working hours cut, it is incumbent upon those in power to ensure that those most vulnerable are, at the very least, fed properly.

Valerie Rose

Linton