Food banks: benefit sanctions blamed for rising hunger
Government told to do more to achieve a hunger-free Britain by church-backed parliamentary report
Benefit sanctions which result in payments being temporarily stopped or docked are largely responsible for the increase in the use of food banks in the UK, a damning cross-party report has said.
The church-funded inquiry is urging the government to do more to fight food poverty by addressing issues in the benefit system, as more than four million people are at risk of going hungry.
"There is a clear moral case to address the shortcomings that exist in our welfare system," the report said. "Our evidence shows that the current system is cumbersome, complicated and fails to respond effectively to the daily changes in people’s lives."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It also revealed that low wages and high-energy costs were contributing factors in the rise in the use of food banks, The Guardian reports.
The report "paints a stark picture: hunger stalks large parts of our country", said the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who was involved in the inquiry. He added that he was more shocked by poverty in the UK than in African refugee camps because although it was less severe, it was so unexpected.
However, Conservative business minister Matthew Hancock said the reason the use of food banks had increased was because "more people know about them", the BBC reports.
"While the report outlines important areas for consideration, we should remember that this country has been through the deepest recession in living memory, and sticking to this government's long-term economic plan is the best way to improve living standards," he said.
In order to achieve a "hunger-free Britain", the report is calling for the establishment of a new publically funded body to fight food poverty. It also said existing food banks need to be expanded, the minimum wage should be increased and free school meals should be provided to children from low-income families during school holidays.
Downing Street said it would "seriously consider" the measures laid out in the report. A government spokesperson said the report was welcomed, calling it "a serious contribution to an important debate, with many good ideas".
"As a country we have enough food to go around, and we agree that it is wrong that anyone should go hungry at the same time as surplus food is going to waste," they said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Virtual prisons': how tech could let offenders serve time at home
Under The Radar New technology offers opportunities to address the jails crisis but does it 'miss the point'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Week contest: Airport goodbyes
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'We shouldn't be surprised that crypto is back'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
‘Was a new statue of Thatcher really a wise idea?’
Instant Opinion Your digest of analysis from the British and international press
By The best columns Published
-
Sainsbury’s to label ‘food bank friendly’ products
Speed Read Retailer found that donations trebled during trial scheme
By The Week Staff Published
-
Government tells Jobcentre staff not to record foodbank referrals
Speed Read Directive means ‘ministers able to avoid awkward questions on impact of welfare reforms’
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Universal credit failings leave thousands in debt
Speed Read ‘Complex’ flagship welfare programme forcing people into rent arrears - and food banks
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
What really lies behind the rise of food banks?
In Depth Why record numbers of people are turning to charity for their daily meal
By The Week Staff Published
-
Half of young mothers skip meals to feed their children, study says
Speed Read Young Women's Trust says 'shocking' numbers of are having to turn to food banks to get by
By The Week Staff Published
-
Church calls for action on national food poverty 'crisis'
Speed Read Number of people receiving food parcels almost tripled last year, but ministers deny benefits cut link
By The Week Staff Published