'Right to food' call by MSP as figures reveal foodbank use in North Lanarkshire has soared

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Central Scotland MSP says 2023 must be the year "the right to food is enshrined in law", as figures show foodbank use has soared in North Lanarkshire.Richard Leonard highlighted how almost 5000 food parcels were distributed by the Trussell Trust in just over six months in 2022 - 1700 of them for children - increases of 197 per cent and 250 per cent respectively over the past five years.While the Trussell Trust is the UK’s major co-ordinator of foodbanks, it is not the only one and the extent of community foodbank use is likely to be even higher than these figures show.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Scottish Labour has long campaigned for a statutory right to food in Scots law and Mr Leonard says the SNP and the Greens "both claimed they backed the policy in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, but in May they voted against it".

The MSP told Lanarkshire Live: "Behind these staggering numbers are the real lives of families struggling through this cost of living crisis. “This is a direct result of years of cuts and neglect by the Conservatives in Westminster and the SNP in Holyrood.“While foodbanks do amazing work, they should not exist.“We have to enshrine people’s right to food in Scots law, there can be no more delays or excuses.”* Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire.