TWO of the country’s most powerful men proved politics can be a hungry business — when they dropped into a Bolton school to enjoy a free dinner.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson tucked into spaghetti bolognese at Queensbridge Primary in Farnworth on Tuesday.

Free dinners are being offered to all reception children in Bolton schools as part of a test scheme running during the autumn term. The initiative aims to ensure children develop the habit of having at least one healthy, nutritious meal each day.

Organisers also want to reduce child obesity, teach youngsters about healthy living, encourage good eating habits and boost youngsters’ ability to study through eating nutritious food.

Now the Government is looking to introduce the policy nationally, and is launching a two-year £20 million pilot scheme.

The two Cabinet members took time out of their busy Labour Conference schedule to visit Bolton.

Mr Johnson said: “We are looking at how we can tackle obesity with new and innovative ideas, including introducing free school meals in primary schools. What is happening in Bolton is great.”

Mr Balls added: “A healthy school meal really works in raising standards and ensuring kids are happy and healthy.”

Both were full of praise for their healthy lunches. Mr Johnson said: “The dinner was better than the school meals I remember, by a factor of about 10. It was horrible steamed vegetables and dreadful stuff they called meat in my day.”

Mr Balls added: “It was really good. The dinner ladies did a wonderful job.”

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