JEREMY Corbyn pledged to tackle the ‘endemic poverty’ he saw on a visit to a Bolton foodbank.

The Labour Party leader spoke to families collecting meals from charity Urban Outreach’s summer lunch project at the Hope Centre in Johnson Fold today.

After hearing concerns from residents about their daily struggles, Mr Corbyn said it ‘can’t be right’ that working people are unable to provide food for their children.

He said: “The foodbank demonstrates just how far we have gone with endemic poverty in Britain. I really admire the people at this centre, they are fantastic.

“The work of volunteers and those that donate food, or the money to buy food, means that all the children are getting a lunch throughout the summer holidays. Most of the national media don’t understand the issue.

“They think summer holidays means everyone is off somewhere on holiday. That is not so. Loads of children lose out because there is no free school lunch.

“We would bring in free school lunches, of course. But it is also about making sure people have a decent income.

“Many of the women I was talking to outside are actually working, but nevertheless have to access a foodbank. That can’t be right.”

The Hope Centre, part of St Andrew’s Church, also supports the Storehouse Pantry foodbank co-operative, as well as Urban Outreach’s project to provide free lunches for disadvantaged children during the summer.

Single mother-of-three Diane Campbell said: “I find the lunches and the food bank really helpful.

“I don’t think I would survive without it. The fact that I get extra stuff means the kids get fed.”

Ms Campbell, a volunteer at the food bank, said her job as a DJ meant her income is ‘sporadic’ and the food bank a ‘lifeline’.

Mr Corbyn also took part in a discussion with community leaders, which covered issues including social housing, the bedroom tax, and the loss of a bus service in Johnson Fold.

Former Bolton West MP Julie Hilling, who accompanied Mr Corbyn on his visit, added: “We have heard a message of how hard it is for people here living under the Tories. I think what Jeremy brings is a message of hope that things can get better and that people need not live in such misery.”

During what was his first visit to Bolton since becoming Labour leader, Mr Corbyn pledged that a Labour government would provide the town with better investment in housing, public transport, and education.

He added: “The first thing this government did after the election was to cancel the rail electrification programme for the north west. It is simply wrong that they are not investing more in the railway system, but I also believe that the bus service is as big a problem.

“1.5 billion journeys a year are made by train. Over four billion journeys are made by bus. Bus journey experience for most people is not good. It is expensive, inefficient, unreliable, it often doesn’t operate at times when people want to travel in order to lead a normal life."

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At June’s General Election, Labour retained its Bolton South East and North East seats, but saw Conservative Chris Green win for the second time in Bolton West by just 936 votes.

Bolton West was one of six Tory seats with slim majorities Mr Corbyn is visiting on a tour of the North-West.