Charities hit back a top Tory today after he suggested people choose to use foodbanks.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer claimed some members of the armed forces are using foodbanks because of personal budgeting decisions as he defended military pay levels.
"These are personal decisions around how people are budgeting every month," he told Sky News. "I don't want to see anyone using foodbanks, of course I don't. But we're in an extremely difficult time around cost of living.
"I'll always advocate for service personnel to get paid more, I'd be mad not to. But it has to be within the constraints of a budget."
Put to him that people do not choose to rely on foodbanks for their groceries, the MP for Plymouth, Moor View, replied: "Well, in my experience that is not correct.”
Foodbank charities blasted the suggestion people opted to use their services. Independent Food Aid Network coordinator Sabine Goodwin told the Mirror: “It's clear that people will only ever resort to accessing a charitable food aid provider as a last resort.
“The Government needs to stop turning a blind eye to devastating levels of poverty and food insecurity in our country. Ignoring this crisis is causing untold damage to people's mental and physical health as well as society as a whole."
Helen Barnard, policy director at Britain’s biggest foodbank network, the Trussell Trust, pointed to a report it issued last month which “found that the overwhelming majority of people at foodbanks have been forced to seek help as a last resort having exhausted all other avenues”.
She added: “The study also reported that, despite the vast majority (95%) saying they were treated with dignity and respect at food banks, six in 10 people turning to foodbanks say that they feel embarrassed while receiving support. These findings correlate with insights shared by the foodbanks in our network who report that people accessing their services are often struggling with stigma and shame at needing to seek support.
“People are forced to turn to foodbanks because they are experiencing hunger and their income does not cover the cost of the essentials.”
Shadow Defence Minister Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, said: "Foodbanks aren’t a personal choice, they’re a last resort.
“No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, let alone those who serve our country, but food poverty has hit record levels under this Government.
“Out-of-touch Tory ministers must accept responsibility instead of passing the buck."
Mr Mercer later tweeted that: "Obviously I said Military personnel should not be using foodbanks but (Sky News host) Kay (Burley) didn't put that, not just 'people', but there we go."
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