A  CRISIS helpline which will give Dudley families food vouchers in place of free school meals has been described as too complicated and put people off applying.

The claim by Labour councillors came after the Conservative-run authority launched a helpline for those struggling to feed children during the half term holiday.

But the allegation has sparked a bitter exchange as the Conservative leader of the council, Patrick Harley, accused Labour of playing politics with children’s welfare.

Attacking the council for not supplying school meals Cllr Qadar Zada, Labour group leader, said the helpline process was complicated  and claimed intrusive questions would deter parents, who will go elsewhere or just go without. 

He said: “Only the Tories in Dudley can make a meal out of this, without actually providing free meals for children.

“Children shouldn’t be going hungry during the pandemic and I regret that due to this current Tory administration, children in this borough will face unnecessary hardship. 

He added: “This is not about party politics, this is about children’s health and well-being and supporting the huge numbers of families who have now found themselves losing income through no fault of their own. 

“What they have come up with is too little too late and I hope the councillors who are blocking direct provision think long and hard about what the damage they are doing when they sit down for their hot meal tonight”

Cllr Patrick Harley, Conservative leader of the council, announced the new helpline on Monday.

Rejecting Labour’s claims, he said: “We are still sending those on free school meals the same vouchers they have in term time and unlike the Labour party in Dudley (we) are also using the vast network of volunteers and charities through out the borough so no child falls through the net.

He added: “We are in the business of looking after our children without playing party politics which is what the Labour party are doing 

“Actions speak louder than words and our actions mean no child in this borough will go hungry this half term.”