CSAN: Inquiry paints 'bleak picture' of food poverty in UK

Helen O'Brien

Following the ‘Feeding Britain’ strategy report, which includes 77 recommendations to eliminate food poverty, Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) Chief Executive, Helen O’Brien said: “the Inquiry’s findings paint a bleak picture of the plight of many low-income families and individuals who are left with no choice but to turn to foodbanks. It is a tale that our member charities, parishioners and communities working on the frontline know only too well.

"We welcome the report’s recommendation to create a new national network, ‘Feeding Britain’, and look forward to contributing towards the network. We are greatly encouraged that the Inquiry recognised the need for faith groups, local authorities and voluntary organisations to work together to ensure there is a practical exit plan from the crisis response of foodbanks.”

Chair of CSAN Trustees, Bishop Terry Drainey also commented “in my diocese of Middlesbrough, being without food is an everyday reality for many families. Our parishes have been responding to the immediate need but food parcels can never
provide a long-term solution.

The work of this cross-party Inquiry gives us great hope that, with a General Election just five months away, the main parties will step up and work together to tackle this chronic national crisis.”

CSAN’s submission to the APPG Inquiry into Hunger and Food Poverty can be found here: www.csan.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Catholic-Church-response-to-the-Hunger-and-Food-Poverty-APPG1.pdf