SNP MP pushes UK Government for plan to end reliance on food banks by 2030

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An SNP MP will present a bill which would require the UK Government to publish a plan to end the use of food banks by 2030.Chris Stephens has called on the UK Government to introduce a wide-ranging series of changes to prevent people having to rely on the charity services.The Glasgow South West MP will present his Food Poverty Strategy Bill to the House of Commons on Wednesday.The bill would require Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to make available every bit of power and resource required to end the use of foodbanks.It aims to secure a wide-ranging series of changes, which would include benefits managed by the UK Government.Stephens said that the potential new law would turbocharge Scotland’s plan to end the need for food banks.

The Scottish Government held a consultation on the topic between 20 October 2021 and 25 January 2022.He also added that policies such as the Scottish Child Payment and projects like food co-operatives show what can be done to reduce the need for food banks.

Stephens said: "Over the past decade, the need for food banks has grown rapidly. Many are now seeing record numbers of people needing help. "The Scottish Government has shown real leadership in its ambition to reverse this trend, and my bill would move us another step closer to being a hunger-free country." Some four per cent of Scots used a food bank in 2021-22, according to the Family Resources Survey.

This is the highest proportion in the UK. The Record also reported earlier this year that thousands of struggling families are subject to deductions of more than £60 a month from their Universal Credit payments.Stephens is the chair of Good Food Scotland.