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Written Question
Food Banks
Tuesday 4th November 2014

Asked by: Baroness Gould of Potternewton (Labour - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of people using food banks who also receive benefits; and whether they have any plans to discuss the matter with the organisers of food banks or to adapt benefits to take account of the situation.

Answered by Lord Freud

DWP does not monitor or estimate the percentage of people using food banks.

We recognise the extremely valuable work of civil society in supporting local communities. Government officials and Ministers routinely meet with a range of civil society organisations, some of which may be connected to foodbanks.

DWP reforms are already making the benefits system simpler and helping claimants to move into work.