Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the oral Answer from the right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, to the hon. Member for York Central of 17 July 2014, what the details are of the joint visits made by Government Ministers and the Church to examine the role of food banks; what the Government's policies are to reduce the number of people living in poverty and dependent on food banks; and if he will make a statement.

Discussion on the use of food banks involves various Government departments. I lead on Government’s engagement with civil society organisations. There has been an extremely impressive response by civil society and faith groups to support vulnerable people. Following the Rt. Hon Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner’s meeting with a regional group of Church leaders to listen to and discuss the Church’s views on food banks, I will be meeting with three more such groups in the near future.