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| London food poverty fears grow | London food poverty fears grow |
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| Thousands of Londoners are at risk of food poverty, with the problem set to grow rapidly, according to a report. | Thousands of Londoners are at risk of food poverty, with the problem set to grow rapidly, according to a report. |
| Increasing numbers of low-paid and unemployed people in the capital, as well as pensioners and schoolchildren, are unable to afford or access healthy food because of rising living costs, it says. | Increasing numbers of low-paid and unemployed people in the capital, as well as pensioners and schoolchildren, are unable to afford or access healthy food because of rising living costs, it says. |
| Welfare reforms starting in April are likely to further dent the incomes of the poorest and drive up demand for crisis help from food banks, says the report by the London assembly health and environment committee. | Welfare reforms starting in April are likely to further dent the incomes of the poorest and drive up demand for crisis help from food banks, says the report by the London assembly health and environment committee. |
| "Food is the most basic of requirements. Yet in one of the richest cities in the world, increasing numbers of Londoners are struggling to afford sufficient healthy food for themselves and their families," said the report's author, Fiona Twycross, a Labour assembly member. | "Food is the most basic of requirements. Yet in one of the richest cities in the world, increasing numbers of Londoners are struggling to afford sufficient healthy food for themselves and their families," said the report's author, Fiona Twycross, a Labour assembly member. |
| The growth of food poverty is symbolised by the explosion in the number of food banks in the capital. In 2009 there were just six food banks in London, supplying emergency rations to 400 people; in 2012-13 there were 40, issuing food parcels to 34,000 clients. | The growth of food poverty is symbolised by the explosion in the number of food banks in the capital. In 2009 there were just six food banks in London, supplying emergency rations to 400 people; in 2012-13 there were 40, issuing food parcels to 34,000 clients. |
| These figures, compiled by the Trussell Trust food bank network, do not, however, include informal and ad hoc emergency food sources operating from churches and community centres. | These figures, compiled by the Trussell Trust food bank network, do not, however, include informal and ad hoc emergency food sources operating from churches and community centres. |
| While the report praises food bank volunteers, it says charity food assistance is a "sticking plaster" response to the crisis and that food banks are not the answer to rising food poverty. | While the report praises food bank volunteers, it says charity food assistance is a "sticking plaster" response to the crisis and that food banks are not the answer to rising food poverty. |
| "More must be done to address the underlying reasons why people turn to food banks in the first place," said Twycross. | "More must be done to address the underlying reasons why people turn to food banks in the first place," said Twycross. |
| It says low incomes, combined with the high costs of housing, energy, and food are the main drivers of food poverty, says the report. | It says low incomes, combined with the high costs of housing, energy, and food are the main drivers of food poverty, says the report. |
| It says schoolchildren from low-income families are at particular risk of going hungry. More than 95% of London teachers surveyed for the report reported some students arrived at school hungry, and 60% had given food to pupils at their own expense. | It says schoolchildren from low-income families are at particular risk of going hungry. More than 95% of London teachers surveyed for the report reported some students arrived at school hungry, and 60% had given food to pupils at their own expense. |
| It urges action to explore the possibility of extending free school meals to a greater number of children, and calls for the development of breakfast clubs in more schools in deprived areas. | It urges action to explore the possibility of extending free school meals to a greater number of children, and calls for the development of breakfast clubs in more schools in deprived areas. |
| Poorer pensioners are also at increased risk of food poverty, in part because councils are either scrapping, or raising charges for meals-on-wheels services, the report says. | Poorer pensioners are also at increased risk of food poverty, in part because councils are either scrapping, or raising charges for meals-on-wheels services, the report says. |
| "This report highlights concerns that far from these issues being in the process of being resolved, food poverty is likely to increase in the coming months and years," said Twycross. | "This report highlights concerns that far from these issues being in the process of being resolved, food poverty is likely to increase in the coming months and years," said Twycross. |
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