A Conservative MP has been widely criticized for saying that people who use food banks do not know how to cook or manage their finances properly.
Lee Anderson, who remarked during a debate in the House of Commons, was accused of insulting people struggling to feed their families, and Labor said they were “beyond faith”.
Mr Anderson said people at a food bank in his Nottinghamshire constituency in Ashfield were shown how to make “cheap and nutritious meals” from scratch on a budget of around 30 pence a day.
Recent policy: Boris Johnson “shows more than a little ankle” on tax cuts
Labor MP Alex Cunningham stepped in to ask if there was a need for food banks in Britain in the 21st century.
Mr Anderson said: “I think you will see first hand that there is not so much use of food banks in this country, but generation after generation that cannot cook properly cannot prepare food from scratch.
“They can’t plan a budget.”
The comments instantly drew a flood of reproach inside and outside the hall.
But SNP MP Joanna Cherry, who followed Mr Anderson in the debate, said people do not use food banks because they do not know how to cook, but because “we have poverty in this country on a scale that should embarrass his government”. .
Shadow Labor and Pensions Minister Karen Buck said: “In a world where people actually live, we now hear daily stories of families running out of food and others unable to turn on their ovens for fear of rising energy bills. .
“The idea that the problem is in cooking skills, not in 12 years of government decisions that push people to extreme poverty, is incredible.
“She doesn’t even cover it without touching it.”
Liberal Democrats spokesman Wendy Chamberlain said in a statement: “These comments are disgraceful and an insult to millions of hard-working people who are struggling to put food on the table for their families through no fault of their own.
“Lee Anderson must immediately apologize for his embarrassing remarks.”
The Group on Action against Child Poverty said politicians “will do better to support real-world decisions, such as adjusting benefits to inflation this fall.”
The charity Trussell Trust said that “cooking from scratch will not help families keep the lights on or put food on the table if they don’t have enough money in their pockets.”
TUC Secretary-General Francis O’Grady said that “instead of being lenient, conservative politicians should put pressure on the Chancellor to call an emergency budget.”
Mr Anderson had previously faced controversy after saying he would not support England in the Euro football tournament because players chose to “kneel” to protest racial injustice.
His comments on food poverty came after George Justis, the environment minister, said consumers under pressure due to rising prices had to buy brands worth it.
Add Comment