Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has suggested people struggling to afford their food bills could consider working more hours. Labour MP Rachael Maskell could be heard saying “that’s appalling” as Ms Coffey replied to her concerns about food banks in York running out of stock.
Ms Coffey noted inflation is “really tough at the moment” and outlined support schemes in place. She also said “one of the best ways” for people to boost their incomes is by either getting into work if they are unemployed” or “potentially to work some more hours” or “get upskilled” in a bid to secure a higher wage.
The exchanges came during environment, food and rural affairs questions in the House of Commons. Ms Maskell (York Central) said: “With the ONS (Office for National Statistics) highlighting a 16.8% increase in food prices in the year to January, the Government has built its food poverty infrastructure with dependency on voluntary donations and retail waste donations.
