Food bank crisis is 'national disgrace', says Cambridge MP
MP Daniel Zeichner is calling for a change in government policy
The rising number of people relying on food banks “is a national disgrace,” according to a Cambridgeshire MP.
Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, says he is determined to ease concerns amongst the city’s adults and children who are receiving food parcels.
Mr Zeichner made the comments while on a visit to Cambridge City Foodbank’s warehouse on Cowley Road on Friday, 28 April.
“Nationally, I’ve seen this huge rise in the number of people depending on food banks which I think is a national disgrace,” he said.
“We’re a wealthy country and used to have a welfare state that could support people properly.”
In Cambridge between April 1, 2022 and March 31 this year, figures from the Trussell Trust charity found 13,121 food parcels were distributed compared to 9,288 in the previous 12 months.
Other districts in Cambridgeshire have also seen food parcel numbers increase over the same period.
Steve Clay, chief executive of Cambridge City Foodbank, said the service distributes around 14,000kg of food from its warehouse each month despite only receiving 11,000kg a month.
Mr Clay believes, in light of the Trussell Trust figures, that numbers are “going in the wrong direction.
“2022 was our biggest year for demand on record in 12 or so years we’ve been operating, and figures just for the first few months of 2023, we’re 30 per cent up again on last year,” he said.
“We’re dealing with unprecedented need and it’s important to get that message out to the people supporting us across Cambridge.”
Cambridge City Foodbank has 200 active volunteers and six staff.
Nationally, a record near-three million emergency food parcels have been handed out at food banks in the year to March.
"It doesn't have to be this way and I'm determined to change it"
A Government spokesperson said it is committed to "eradicating poverty and we recognise the pressures of the rising cost of living.
“This is why we have uprated benefits by 10.1 per cent as well as making an unprecedented increase to the National Living Wage this month.
"We are also providing record levels of direct financial support for the most vulnerable - £1,200 last year and a further £1,350 in 2023-24 - while the Household Support Fund is helping people with essential costs."
Mr Zeichner, shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs, believes a change in policy is required if the situation is to improve.
“I’m full of admiration for the volunteers and generosity of people helping people, but frankly people, particularly families, should not be needing to rely on foodbanks in this country,” he added.
“Successive foodbank leaders tell me the numbers go up year on year (and) unless there’s a change in national policy, this is going to go on.
“This is a big national challenge, but it’s a political choice people have made; it doesn’t have to be this way and I’m determined to change it.”