Oral Answers to Questions

Kerry McCarthy Excerpts

Wednesday 26th April 2023 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

The hon. Gentleman raises exactly why we need to take action, because it is not right that our local hotels in all our communities are being used to such a degree to house illegal asylum seekers, not least because it is costing the British taxpayer something like £5.5 million or £6 million a day. We want to put an end to that, which is why we are bringing forward legislation that will enable us to swiftly detain and send back those who should not be here. But I will make sure that he gets a meeting with the Immigration Minister as he needs.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

Q4.   Trussell Trust figures out today show that its food banks gave out a record number of meals over the past year: nearly 3 million meals, 1 million of which went to children. The Prime Minister is fortunate that he is a wealthy man, but all these families want is to be able to put food on the table and feed their own children without having to resort to food banks. Does he think that is too much to ask?

[The Prime Minister]

As I have said previously, we absolutely do not want anyone to have to rely on a food bank but, while there are people who do use them, I am very grateful to all those who volunteer their time to make sure they are provided in their local communities. We have put substantial provision in place, not least the infant free school meals and broader free school meals, which are helping almost 2 million children, but also, last year, the investment in the holiday activity and food programme, which provides not just food but activities outside term time. We will continue to do everything we can to help those in low pay, which is why we are raising the national living wage to record levels, and I am pleased to say that the number of those living in poverty today is 2 million lower than when we first came into office.