Richard Lochhead to visit Moray food bank

The Rural Affairs Secretary will visit a foodbank today to see how volunteers are helping some of the country’s poorest people.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead. Picture: Julie BullRural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead. Picture: Julie Bull
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead. Picture: Julie Bull

Richard Lochhead will meet volunteers and help pack food boxes at Moray Food Bank in Elgin.

His visit comes as charities and advice organisations report a rise in the number of people relying on food banks.

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In October, Citizens Advice Scotland reported that nearly 1,000 people have been referred to food banks by its advisers since April when cuts to the benefit system came into effect.

Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland is known as a food-producing nation and we have an extraordinary array of quality, natural produce available to us.

“Unfortunately, more people, in Moray and across the country, are relying on food banks and are finding it difficult to access to this produce in the current economic climate.

“The work going on in Moray is being replicated across Scotland and speaks volumes for the kind-hearted nature of Scots.

“The UK is already one of the most unequal societies in the developed world, and the UK Government’s welfare cuts programme unfairly impacts on some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“I am concerned that these cuts will undermine the long-term approach that we are taking to tackle the causes of poverty.”