News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

foodbank-supplies-main_article_image.jpg
PA Wire
UK News

Trussell Trust says politician's foodbank comments give 'completely wrong impression'

by Eno Adeogun

Trustee, Alison Inglis-Jones from the Christian charity - Britain's largest provider of foodbanks - said that the words of Dominic Raab, the former justice minister, were misleading.

She said during News Hour: "What I would really like him to do is ask him to visit one of our foodbanks in Esher and Walton where he is the candidate.

"We have a foodbank there and would be absolutely delighted to welcome him and then I think he would see the issues that are truly facing people who are coming to foodbanks."

Research based partly on Trussell Trust data shows there are at least 2,000 food banks operating in the UK, giving out emergency food parcels on a weekly basis to people struggling.

Raab came under fire when he claimed that many people receiving food parcels have "a cash flow problem episodically" as he sought to defend the Government's record during a TV debate.

However, a spokesman for the charity told the Press Association that delays to benefit payments and low wages were the most common reasons for foodbank referrals.

Raab was challenged by the SNP's John Nicolson on the BBC2 programme, who said the charity would be "outraged" at his comments.

The Foodbank's end of year stats reveals nearly 1.2 million food parcels were delivered to families last year - of which 436,938 went to children.

Inglis-Jones added that the typical foodbank users are "just about getting by but tipped into very difficult circumstances that are beyond their control".

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has called for Raab to apologise and said he is: "woefully out of touch and has no idea how much real people are struggling.

Farron added: "We are seeing nurses, police officers and the just-about-managing having to go to food banks as their paychecks won't stretch any further."

Listen to Alison Inglis-Jones from the Trussell Trust speaking with Premier's Alex Williams:

Listen to Alison Inglis-Jones from the Trussell Trust speaking with Premier's Alex Williams:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate