MSP says rise in foodbanks is ‘unacceptable’ during Perth meeting
BySandra Gray
Kim Cessford - 30.11.13 - pictured at the Montrose Tesco store where volunteers with the Angus Foodbank were collecting donations from members of the public - foodbank sign
The number of foodbanks in Scotland has rocketed from one to 45 in just three years.
This increase was described as “unacceptable” by a leading politician during a meeting of the Trussell Trust in Perth at the weekend.
Scottish housing and welfare minister Margaret Burgess spoke at the charity’s regional gathering on Saturday.
She said: “Figures show that 56,000 people have used Trussell Trust foodbanks in the last 12 months.
“The fact that so many people are suffering from food poverty in what is a wealthy country shows us how serious the problem is.
“I find it tragic and outrageous that so many people need emergency food aid.
“I’m very concerned and I don’t ever want to be in a position where foodbanks and the Scottish Welfare Fund are replacing the welfare state.”
Trussell Trust chairman Chris Mould also revealed that twice as many people needed access to foodbanks in 2013/14 and that three new ones were being launched every week in a bid to tackle food poverty.
He added: “Thirteen million people live below the poverty line in the UK.”
MSP says rise in foodbanks is ‘unacceptable’ during Perth meeting
