Sharp Rise in Foodbank Use is 'Shameful' Demonstration of Damage of Tory Austerity

A new report by the Trussell Trust showing that the number of people in Scotland using foodbanks rose by two thirds in the last year is the clearest demonstration possible of the damage Tory austerity cuts are causing and why a change of course is needed.

The report shows that more than 117,000 food parcels were distributed in Scotland by the Trussell Trust last year, including more than 36,000 which went to children. This is a 65 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure.

The SNP manifesto published this week commits SNP MPs to action that will help to tackle child poverty, by opposing further cuts to Child Benefit and Tax Credit and supporting increasing free childcare to 30 hours per week by 2020.

Commenting, Banff & Buchan SNP candidate Eilidh Whiteford said:

“The rise of foodbanks is utterly shameful and there is surely no clearer demonstration of the wilful damage that Tory austerity has caused to communities in Scotland and across the UK.

“Foodbank use has risen by two thirds and tens of thousands of children in Scotland have had to rely on food parcels in the last year.

“It is an absolute disgrace and the Tories’ studied complacency on this issue underlines why it is so important that we are able to lock David Cameron out of Downing Street.

“Meanwhile instead of committing to action, Labour has instead signed up to a further £30 billion of Tory austerity cuts.

“This cannot continue and there must be a change of course on the austerity that is doing so much damage to communities across Scotland.

“The SNP manifesto this week made clear that SNP MPs will oppose further cuts to Child Benefit and Tax Credits and support increasing free childcare to 30 hours per week by 2020.

“A strong team of SNP MPs will work with progressive voices across the UK to take action that helps tackle the scourge of child poverty and foodbank use.”