Food: Banks

Lord Knight of Weymouth Excerpts

Tuesday 5th February 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, I think I have laboured the point on that enough.

[Lord Knight of Weymouth]

My Lords, we have heard about the increasing reliance on food banks from a number of noble Lords. We know that a quarter of parents put food back when they get to the checkout in the supermarket because they are struggling with rising prices and falling wages, and that the hereditary poor are increasing again. Will the Minister agree to visit a local food bank with me so that we can thank its volunteers together and ask the recipients whether they are in work and what is their view of benefits reform under this Government?

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, as I said in my initial Answer, I shall shortly be visiting FoodCycle. I agree with much of what the noble Lord says.