Unite, the country’s biggest union, is leading calls for a parliamentary debate into UK hunger, as foodbanks brace themselves to feed 60,000 people this Christmas.
In backing calls for an
urgent parliamentary debate on the threefold growth in foodbank usage over the
past year, the union accused the government of “turbocharging inequality in
Britain”, by concentrating on the interests of bankers, over people forced to
use foodbanks.
The petition, which has been
proposed by Jack Monroe, writer and former foodbank user, is calling for an
urgent parliamentary debate into UK hunger and the growing use of foodbanks. It
has also been supported by The Mirror and The Trussell Trust. The petition is
hosted by Change.Org, which provided the platform for successful campaigns,
including ‘Keep women on English banknotes’.
The union’s call follows the
launch of Unite’s Christmas fundraising appeal to support The Trussell Trust
foodbank network. The union pledged to help the charity feed a record number of
people over the festive period and has already received thousands of pounds in
donations from members across the country.
“This government is turbocharging inequality in Britain. It is a disgrace that in the world’s seventh richest country, foodbanks will have to feed 60,000 people this Christmas and fed over 345,000 people, between April and September this year.
“Cabinet ministers have been turning their back on our cost of living crisis. While hundreds of thousands of families go without food, they have been cozying up to bankers, who are set for another year of bumper bonuses.
“It’s time that the government faced up to the crisis it is causing. That’s why we are calling for a proper debate on the explosion in demand for foodbanks and followed up with real action.
“We are proud that Unite members are coming together this year to raise money that will help feed kids in their communities, but we all know that this shouldn’t be the preserve of charity and goodwill. The government is failing in its most basic duty to its citizens and must address food poverty without delay.”
