Food Banks.

Jonathan Arnott MEP learns about the ways in which food bank organisations help those in need across the North East.

UKIP’s North East MEP, Jonathan Arnott, visited Hartlepool Tesco last week to learn more about the partnership between the supermarket chain and the Trussel Trust, and make a food donation.

Tesco is the first national supermarket to partner with foodbanks for what was their fifth collection. The supermarket has also pledged to ‘top-up’ food donations by 30%, to provide longer term support to Trussell Trust foodbanks and Fareshare.

Arnott said “It is devastating that in the North East, we have one of the most used foodbanks in the UK, as well as over 25,000 people seeking support by the Trussel Trust’s Gateshead, Newcastle East and Newcastle West End food banks alone.

“A massively overcomplicated benefits system and low incomes are forcing more people, who are desperately in need, to turn to foodbanks. We need a more accessible and flexible benefits system, so people are able to understand easily what support they are entitled to receive. We also need to lift those who are on the minimum wage out of income tax altogether. These two policies alone would go a significant distance in helping those who are in need across the North East”.