Food Banks

Food banks have become a lifeline for families in crisis due to increasing food insecurity; 3.1 million emergency food parcels were distributed last year, highlighting the growing crisis of poverty in the UK. The hon. Member acknowledged that the OBR stated 90% of households would be better off under the Budget, with costs spread to those who can bear them most.

Over 6,500 food parcels were distributed in Mid Cheshire last year, with 38% going to children. The rising cost of living has left many struggling with debts, benefit changes, ill health, domestic violence, and family breakdown. There is a need for fair wages, affordable housing, and secure employment opportunities.

The hon. Member recalled the £20 additional uplift to universal credit during the pandemic as a successful policy, expressing hope that the Government will review universal credit as promised.

Noted the increase in food bank usage and commended local charities such as Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance. Criticised austerity measures for worsening food insecurity and welcomed government investments in free breakfast clubs.

Austerity has increased food bank usage, with industry leaving Alloa and Grangemouth leading to low-wage insecure employment, rising poverty, suicide rates, and decreasing life expectancy. The in-work poor are now prevalent, where both parents work full-time but still cannot afford basic essentials. The welfare system needs transformation, with Universal Credit being too low for people's basic needs.

Mr. Kruger acknowledges the issue of poverty and food bank usage, noting that while the number of parcels handed out by the Trussell Trust doubled during the pandemic, it is important to note that this does not necessarily reflect new need but a displacement from other sources such as family and friends or community organisations. He highlights the complexity of causes for food bank use, particularly household income issues like difficulties with benefits and in-work poverty. Mr. Kruger also points out significant impacts made by the previous government on absolute poverty through measures like universal credit, while criticising the current government's withdrawal of the winter fuel payment from 10 million pensioners and a rise in national insurance taxes affecting low-paid workers.

Chadwick thanked volunteers in his constituency for their work with food banks and noted a 77% increase in food-bank parcel distribution since 2018. He emphasised the persistence of high child poverty rates in Wales, criticising successive governments for failing to address this issue effectively.

There has been a significant increase in demand for food bank services across Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove. The Stoke-on-Trent food bank alone supported nearly 20,000 residents last year.

In his constituency of West Dunbartonshire, the hon. Member witnessed the consequences of Tory austerity and SNP Government failure, noting a rise in food banks due to the removal of funding for the Summer Shine programme. On local charities, the MP congratulated Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels for receiving the King's award for voluntary service in 2024, recognising its outstanding work in supporting communities in West Dunbartonshire by providing food and comfort.

The Dunfermline food bank in Graeme Downie's constituency fed just under 9,000 people from April '23 to March '24, with one third being children. He criticised the Scottish National Party for cutting funds such as the fuel insecurity fund and the parental transition fund.

Food banks operate in every major town in Moray, with many community halls offering food hubs and clothing banks. The Scottish Government's child payment is a substantial amount of money every week compared to Westminster removing the winter fuel payment from many people.

Acknowledged the efforts made by Seamus Logan and noted the rise in poverty, particularly among families with children. Highlighted childhood obesity due to unhealthy food and called for government action to reduce dependency on food banks.

There are more than 3,000 food banks in the UK distributing up to 5 million parcels annually. The root causes of food poverty include low wages, benefit cuts, delays in universal credit payments, the two-child benefit cap, and withdrawal of winter fuel allowance. Benefits must reflect the cost of living.

Expressed gratitude towards volunteers at food banks and provided statistics on emergency food parcels in his constituency, noting a 57% increase. Called for the Minister to meet representatives from Northern Ireland to understand the issue better.

Addressing poverty dimensions rather than just providing food banks repeatedly is crucial, as highlighted by the all-party parliamentary group on food banks ten years ago.

The Social Metrics Commission data on poverty shows that 16 million UK residents live in poverty, while Britain is the sixth richest economy globally. The quickest and easiest way to relieve increasing problems is by removing the two-child cap.

Sullivan highlighted the increase in food bank usage in her constituency, noting a 77% rise over five years. She criticised austerity measures for increasing hardship and stressed the importance of political action to eliminate food insecurity.

The hon. Member recognised the inspiring work of local food banks but argued that they should not need to exist, highlighting the importance of addressing poverty at its root.

Despite Cheltenham's reputation as a prosperous town, many residents struggle with poverty. In 2023-24, 1,068 households accessed food banks for the first time, and in the current financial year, over 550 households weekly rely on food support services.

The cause of the current crisis is attributed to austerity measures and welfare reforms. Immediate actions needed include ending the two-child limit, developing a long-term funding settlement for local support, implementing an essentials guarantee in universal credit, extending free school meals, and addressing holiday hunger.

The use of food banks has nearly doubled since 2018-9, with over 1.14 million emergency food parcels for children distributed by the Trussell Trust in 2023-24; Peterborough food bank saw a 34% increase in parcel distribution. The hon. Member questioned why Labour pledged to withdraw the winter fuel payment if they felt so strongly about it in 2017.

The necessity for food banks is a sad indictment of the levels of poverty people face, with the Trussell Trust distributing close to 3 million food parcels in 2022-23, almost fifty times more than in 2010-11.

The hon. Member highlighted the inadequacy of the UK welfare system in addressing child poverty and food insecurity, citing the Trussell Trust's delivery of 3 million food parcels this year and increased energy costs straining families further.

Food poverty is a significant issue in the UK and Scotland, with education being key to breaking the cycle of poverty. However, both the Scottish and UK Governments are failing by not prioritising education funding adequately.

Adam highlighted the work of several food banks in his constituency, noting that while these organisations reflect compassion, their necessity is unacceptable. He mentioned a Trussell Trust report stating 9.3 million people, including one in five children, are facing hunger and hardship.

Citing statistics from mid-2022 in Wales, the hon. Member pointed out that almost 90% of those referred to food banks were in work but struggling due to low incomes.