A Tory minister has claimed that food bank use is a personal choice after he was confronted over members of the armed forces using them.
In a bruising TV encounter Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said military personnel earn a "good wage" and blamed "personal decisions" for their use.
Last month it emerged that an unofficial food bank at an RAF base in Lincolnshire was being used by staff struggling with the cost of living.
Mr Mercer said it is "not correct" that people do not choose to use food banks.
He told Sky News: "These are personal decisions around how people are budgeting every month.
"I don't want to see anyone using food banks, of course I don't. But we're in an extremely difficult time around cost of living.
"I'll always advocate for service personnel to get paid more, I'd be mad not to. But it has to be within the constraints of a budget."
Put to him that people do not choose to rely on food banks, Mr Mercer replied: "Well, in my experience that is not correct.
"I think there are some dire cases that we need to do more to wrap our arms around and make sure that there is a safety net for people.
"I don't think food bank use is an accurate portrayal of where levels of poverty, relative or absolute poverty, are in this country."
Those who use food banks are often referred by a service or specialist - such as a doctor, health visitor, social workers or Citizens Advice.
Mr Mercer added: "I don't want to see anybody using food banks but I think that being in the military still affords you a good wage and a good quality of life.
"And that will continue to be the case."
Last month Sky reported that RAF personnel are now using a food bank at RAF Coningsby that was originally set up to help the local community.
A leaked internal report said people were being forced to choose between food and fuel, and one mum said she had gone for four days without a hot meal because she'd spent her last money on baby formula.
Following the interview, Mr Mercer posted on Twitter to hit out at "collective bed-wetting".
He said: "Enjoying the collective bed-wetting on this.
"Military personnel should not be using food banks - period. Disagree if you like, but that is true.
"If you are serving personnel and you are using a food bank because you are 'starving' please do call me and I will come and see you."
Charities warn that the cost-of-living crisis is causing a sharp rise in food bank use.
Independent Food Aid Network coordinator Sabine Goodwin told the Mirror: “It's clear that people will only ever resort to accessing a charitable food aid provider as a last resort.
“The Government needs to stop turning a blind eye to devastating levels of poverty and food insecurity in our country.
“Ignoring this crisis is causing untold damage to people's mental and physical health as well as society as a whole."
The Trussell Trust said that between April 1 last year and March 31 this year its food banks distributed nearly three million emergency food parcels - up 37% from the same period last year.
Mr Mercer's remarks came as he announced a new dedicated helpline had been set up for homeless veterans.
The £500,000 helpline - open to people in England, Scotland and Wales - is part of a two-year £8.55 million programme working towards the Government's pledge to end veteran rough sleeping.
Mr Mercer told Sky News: "There is no need for a veteran to be sleeping rough and I don't want to see anyone sleeping rough by the end of this year."
Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can contact the helpline on 0800 952 0774 or visit riv.org.uk/opfortitude.
