In response to the Trussell Trust’s publication of figures that reveal that 11,553 three day emergency food supplies were given out in Barnet and Camden between April 2018 and March 2019, an increase of 28% on the previous year, Andrew Dismore, London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden said:
“It is scandalous that we are continuing to see a growing dependence on food banks in our community. Whilst the Government is well aware of the key factors that are driving so many local families into food poverty, they are choosing not to act. Instead, they are shamefully passing their duty of care to the most vulnerable in our society on to charities and beleaguered local services.
“Sadly, these figures are likely to be just the tip of the iceberg, but they should provide a wake-up call for the Government. They must now step in urgently to address the issue of low pay and fully confront the consequences of their disastrous welfare reforms.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The Trussell Trust data on food bank usage has been supplied to Andrew Dismore AM, and is available upon request;
- Andrew Dismore AM is the London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden.