Empty paper plates make their way to Dorset MP's

It's in response to the government's decision on free school meals over the school holidays.

'Low Pay No Way' placed paper plates outside the Conservative club in Weymouth.
Author: George SharpePublished 29th Oct 2020

It's part of a campaign putting pressure on MP's to u-turn on the controversial decision not to provide free school meal vouchers during the school holidays this week.

Campaign group 'Low Pay, No Way' are encouraging people to post empty paper plates to West Dorset MP Chris Loder, and South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

Richard Shrubb is one of the campaigners. He said:

"We would send a pig troughs because that's what MP's that seem to be doing at the moment; troughing out on £3,000 pay rises and £80,000 a year saying that people can live on, what 100 quid a week each?

"It's a bit of a joke.

"They're empty plates, and that's what these kids are getting for Christmas. We're one of the richest countries in the world, why have we got children starving in their thousands and probably in their thousands evening Weymouth and Portland alone? It's quite disgusting."

They want the two MP's to put pressure on the government to u-turn on the decision.

Richard added:

"We do have connections to people who are on universal credit and who are going with empty bellies because they can't afford to feed their kids.

"There are also seasonal workers who are on very low incomes through the summer and get virtually no income during the winter months especially with COVID, so there's a lot of people in deep, deep, deep financial trouble and universal credit isn't paying the bills so they do need this additional support to feed their kids."

West Dorset MP Chris Loder has yet to recieve any plates, but said:

"If you are a parent or carer in West Dorset who is struggling with feeding your children, and you have observations you would like to share with me, then I would be delighted to hear from you. The only people I’m hearing from at the moment appear to be those who have a lot to say about a situation that isn’t directly affecting them. To write to me, please do so to Chris Loder MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA"

Richard Drax's office has been contacted for comment, but has yet to reply.