Stark reality of children in Leeds living on the breadline in lockdown - the YEP says

And for those living on the fringes of society the strain has only been intensified after the lockdown commenced.

Many of us are lucky to have warm and safe homes to call our sanctuary during this global crisis.

But the stark reality is some children are living under lockdown in rat and mice-infested homes.

It’s almost Dickensian to think that there are children who are really struggling in 21st century Leeds. But it’s real and it’s happening in our city,

Just take a moment to think of this - seven people are sleeping in a one-bedroom flat in Leeds on a sofa bed designed for two.

Parents are sending photos of their children covered in bites begging for help and hundreds of food parcels have been distributed by charity Zarach to help those families who need it the most.

The gap in society was already too wide before this unthinkable crisis started but now it is getting even wider and we have to stop it.