Signed by charities and associations such as Sustain, The Trussell Trust and the Public Sector Catering 100 group, the letter says that they are becoming ‘increasingly’ concerned about what would happen to food supplies in the event of the predicted food price rises or serious supply chain disruption.
“We need to be clear with you that food banks and frontline charities are in no position to respond to such an eventuality, having neither the money nor storage to stockpile food, often being run by volunteers, and many being already over-stretched meeting current need.”
It mentions Rudd’s references to a national ‘hardship fund’ and now considers it a ‘matter of urgency’ that details are published, recommending that cash grants are given as first priority to those on very local incomes so they can buy food, and to frontline charities to aid those who are vulnerable and may have no recourse to public funds.
Acknowledging the efforts of senior civil servants to bring matters to the attention of Cabinet level ministers, it says that many of the signatories attended a meeting on 8 July raising their concerns, and will be available on request to discuss the impact on public sector food.
To read the full letter, read the attached document.