Call for PM to tackle rise in food prices

Published on 07/07/2012 13:37

East Lothian Labour MP Fiona O’Donnell has called on David Cameron to take action to tackle rising food prices.

Ms O’Donnell, who has been campaigning for the creation of a food bank in her constituency to help families facing food poverty, questioned the Prime Minister in the Commons over what action has been taken to address food inflation.

Figures from the Trussell Trust charity show that more than 12,000 people in East Lothian currently live below the poverty line, with high unemployment and changes to the welfare system threatening to exacerbate the situation.

Ms O’Donnell said: “With food prices rising 4.6 per cent in the last year and other pressures on household budgets, there are people struggling to feed themselves and their families. Food poverty is a growing issue in the UK and we need urgent action from the government.”

She said she was working with individuals, community groups and churches across East Lothian to develop the county’s first food bank. 

She said: “People need help now and I firmly believe that this project could help alleviate the situation locally.”