Hunger in the UK: what can we do about it

Press invite to the launch of 999 Food the Diocese of Oxford's own response to the escalating problem of Food Poverty. ONE in five working parents have had to choose between paying an essential bill or putting food on the table, a survey has revealed. Meanwhile sanctions on benefits are seeing more and more vulnerable people forced to use foodbanks to feed themselves and their families.

999 Food explores why people are in need of foodbanks in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and how the church can and is responding.

Alison Webster, Diocesan Social Responsibility Advisor and author of 999 Food said: "Evidence emerging from various pieces of research suggests that falling benefit levels, low wages, reforms to housing policy, the bedroom tax, benefit sanctions and suspensions, and debt problems, are having a catastrophic effect on children and families in the UK. "Speaking after a survey by Oxfam, the Trussell Trust and Church Action on Poverty revealed that the number of people needing emergency food aid had risen by 54 per cent between 2012 and 2013, Alison added: "Trussell Trust figures give only a partial picture.

For instance, in the diocese of Oxford only about a quarter of emergency food activity is linked to the TT.

Churches are at the forefront of feeding hungry people, but also of campaigns to combat the unjust policies that are pushing people into destitution and extreme vulnerability. "The Rt Revd John Pritchard, who joined End Hunger Fast campaigner the Revd Dr Keith Hebden for a meeting with the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to press for an end to food poverty last month, among the speakers at the 999 Food launch. EndsReporters and photographers are welcome at the launch at 999 Food at Arts4every1, Desborough Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2PU, 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, June 18. For more contact Alison Webster on alison. webster@oxford. anglican. org , or phone (01865) 208213 or Jo Duckles on 01865 208227 or 07880 716761.

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