Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, What steps his department is taking to support food banks, in the context of rises in the cost-of-living.

Foodbanks are independent, charitable organisations and the Government does not have any role in their operation.

However, the Government recognises the challenges facing households due to elevated costs of living, and has taken further steps to protect struggling families. Taken together, support for households is worth £94 billion, or £3,300 per household on average, across 2022-23 and 2023-24.

This includes targeted support for millions of the most vulnerable households this year through up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments for households on means-tested benefits, with an additional £300 for pensioner households, and £150 for individuals on disability benefits. This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment made last year to households on means-tested benefits, with additional support for pensioners and individuals on disability benefits.

At Autumn Statement 2022, the Government also announced a further, twelve-month extension to the Household Support Fund in England, with £1bn additional funding (including Barnett funding for the Devolved Administrations), which started on 1 April 2023. This allows Local Authorities to provide crisis support to vulnerable households, such as through supermarket vouchers or partnering with food banks.