A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research defined households who have to spend more than 10% of their income on food as being in food poverty. (Hard to Swallow: The Facts about Food Poverty, CEBR 2013)

So despite the high proportion of spending on food, the poorest households might not be spending enough on their meals to meet their needs. This is mainly as food prices have increased at a faster rate than other costs in the last few years, and as wage rises have stagnated.

And other essentials such as power and rent are more of a fixed cost and have to be paid. For example the poorest pay £9.60 and £7.70 respectively for Electricity and Gas, while the richest pay £13.60 for each. That’s 8.1% of the budget of the poorest households, in comparison to just 2.4% of the richest. With these fixed costs stretched over several areas is it any wonder that something has to give?

So it should be no surprise that the Trussell Trust Network have 428 food banks across the UK. The Trussell Trust gave out 586,907 three-day emergency food supplies between 1 April and 30 September 2017, a rise of 67,565 on the previous year.

As one commentator rightly puts it,

“It’s extremely depressing that a country of this magnitude, and where it thinks it lies in itself, can allow so many foodbanks to be operating in this country.”

and it’s not only continuing but,

“ growing at a rapid pace where people who are in work, not just on benefits, can’t afford to live at a decent level and have to go to foodbanks to feed themselves and their children.”

The commentator who voiced his anger of this national scandal was Sam Alladyce. Manager of Everton Football Club. Everton has some of the poorest areas in Europe and the club encourage supporters to donate to the local food bank.

It has come to something when a high profile football manager feels the need to use his pre-game press conference to point out this national scandal to the (football) public.

“ Big Sam” is known for sending out teams that have a plan, and are pragmatic. They may be no-nonsense and boring, but usually get results. Perhaps Alladyce would probably make a better fist of sorting welfare than the current government. He certainly has shown more compassion.