Food Banks

Part of Opposition Day — [15th Allotted Day] — Accident and Emergency – in the House of Commons at 6:50 pm on 18 December 2013.

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Photo of Nick Hurd Nick Hurd The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office 6:50, 18 December 2013

Food banks are enormously helpful. It was not entirely clear from the debate whether the Labour party is for or against them, which is why I want to place on record the Government’s recognition of the enormously valuable work they do.

It was right that my hon. Friend John Glen had the opportunity to place on record his admiration for the work of the Trussell Trust, which was founded in his constituency. My hon. Friend Steve Baker spoke very powerfully of his own family’s experience and mentioned the community store. I pay tribute to FareShare, a national charity that feeds more than 51,000 every day through a unique and amazing partnership with the food industry, which has not been recognised in this debate. The strides made by Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and other big retail partners and organisations such as Nestlé and Gerber make what FareShare do possible, and they should be congratulated.

I should also say that the Government are actively supporting these organisations.