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Banbury’s MP under fire for comments as data reveals numbers not eating properly
09/02/2022
1,998 households in the Cherwell District go a whole day without eating
Banbury’s MP has come under fire for comments she made suggesting that the use of foodbanks can help with a household’s finances.
During an opposition day debate on the cost of living and food insecurity Victoria Prentis told MPs that there are very few other sources available to help families’ with housing and energy costs. However, she added that food is often a smaller part of the household expenditure pot, but “a part where other help can be sourced”.
Mrs Prentis told the House of Commons: “There are many pressures on household budgets, the two top ones being broadly, usually, housing costs and fuel costs. There is very little give normally; there are very few other sources available to help families with those two important pressures.
“Food … is often a smaller part of the household expenditure pot. Because there are sometimes food charities to help with expenditure, it is a part where other help can be sourced.”
Following the comments Cherwell Labour has analysed research by the Food Foundation which shows that 1,998 households in the Cherwell District go a whole day without eating.
3,052 households in the district say they are not eating even when they’re hungry because they cannot afford to and 4,884 families are noted as eating smaller meals, or skipping eating completely, because they cannot afford food.
The figures come ahead of a further squeeze on living standards this spring, with energy prices set to increase by £693 annually and National Insurance contributions due to rise.
Publishing the analysis, Labour’s group leader on Cherwell District Council, Councillor Sean Woodcock said: “The cost of living crisis is spiralling out of control, yet instead of offering the support families in Cherwell need, the Conservatives are wasting our money and raising our taxes – just when we can least afford it.
“Nearly 2,000 families in Cherwell are now having to go more than a day without food – many more aren’t able to eat when they are hungry because they simply cannot make ends meet.
“Labour has suggested a sensible plan to support families – funded by fair taxes on the multi-billion profits of oil and gas producers, but sadly the Conservatives are either too mired in chaos and scandal or too incompetent to act. That has to change.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam