Labour has unveiled a five-point plan to reduce the number of people dependent on food banks.
Figures from the Trussell Trust charity show the number of people using food banks increased to 913,000 in 2013-14, compared to 41,000 in 2009-10.
Labour’s plan pledges to tackle the root cause of the problem by abolishing targets for benefit sanctions, reducing waiting times for hardship payments, and address the issue of delayed benefit payments such as Personal Independence Payments.
The party also said it tackle low pay and abolish zero-hours contracts, while implementing a joined-up approach to food policy across government.
Rachel Reeves, Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, said: ‘Labour will bring down the number of people using food banks by the end of the next Parliament by tackling low pay, getting a grip of benefit payment delays and ensuring that benefit rules are always implemented fairly and protect the most vulnerable. We want to make sure that nobody has to rely on food banks to put food on the table.’
