Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the potential effect of the extension of the benefit cap to £23,000 per year in London and £20,000 per year outside London on the number of (a) people and (b) children who use food banks.

These figures are not available, as the Government does not believe it is possible to keep a record of the potential number of people using food banks or other types of food aid, without placing unnecessary burdens on volunteers trying to help their communities. It is also widely acknowledged that the reasons people use food banks are complex and overlapping. It is misleading to link them to any one cause. For those who need extra support, Discretionary Housing Payments are available from Local Authorities, as well as budgeting support, hardship payments and additional employment support.