Maria Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to a report from DEFRA showing increasing numbers are turning to food banks out of necessity, said:

“Households and families are increasingly turning to food banks as a last resort because of the Government’s cost-of-living crisis. The Trussell Trust alone helped more than half a million people in the last nine months of last year alone, a shocking increase from 41,000 in 2010. One third of those relying on this food aid are children.

“It is now clear why David Cameron has fought so hard over many months to keep this report hidden, because it rubbishes the claim that the increase in food banks is driving demand. Instead of hiding behind a myth that is insulting to all those parents who have skipped meals to ensure their children do not go hungry, it is time Ministers took this issue seriously.“

Rachel Reeves MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

“Food banks have become a truly shameful symbol of Tory Britain. According to disabled charities, one in 10  disabled people hit by the bedroom tax is being forced to rely on food banks to get by. The Government should scrap the Bedroom Tax and tackle poverty and low pay by enforcing the minimum wage and getting more employers to pay a living wage through tax breaks. If they don’t, a Labour government will.”