It is heartbreaking to learn that children in Bradford are going to sleep hungry and being sent out to school having had no breakfast in 2014.

Sadly, according to a charity which is setting out to help such families, this is a situation being seen all too often in the city.

And the problem is such that Bradford Unites in Disaster, which was originally set up to help with the aftermath of the floods in Pakistan in 2010, has now set up a community kitchen to feed the most deprived members of the community.

It is a sad reflection on our society that an organisation set up to deal with a natural disaster abroad is now having to turn its attention to a desperate need much closer to home.

Unfortunately the district does have a very large number of families living in poverty.

Recent reports have suggested 37,000 youngsters in Bradford live below the breadline, and a staggering 68 per cent of children in Bowling and Barkerend are classed as living in poverty.

The work being done by Bradford Unites in Disaster is a welcome way of helping this appalling situation, and there is no doubt that the people of Bradford will respond in their normal generous way to this appeal.

But there is a more fundamental issue that needs to be addressed, and that is why children are being allowed to go hungry in the 21st Century. Families should not be relying on hand outs from food banks and soup kitchens.

Something must be done to address this intolerable situation, and, from the Government downwards, we all have a responsibility to do whatever we can to help end it.