Opposition Day — Measures to Reduce Dependency on Food Banks — 17 Dec 2014 at 18:53

The majority of MPs voted against proposals to reduce dependency on food banks via various measures including tackling delays in the benefits system, more affordable utility bills, and an increase in the minimum wage.

The motion rejected in this vote was:

• That this House
• 'notes' that the number of people using food banks, according to the Trussell Trust, has increased from 41,000 in 2009-10 to 913,000 in 2013-14, of whom one third are children;
• 'recognises that over the last four years prices have risen faster than wages;
• 'further notes' that low pay and failings in the operation of the social security system continue to be the main triggers for food bank use; and
• 'calls on the Government to bring forward measures to reduce dependency on food banks and tackle the cost of living crisis, including to get a grip on delays and administrative problems in the benefits system, and introduce a freeze in energy prices, a national water affordability scheme, measures to end abuses of zero hours contracts, incentives for companies to pay a living wage, an increase in the minimum wage to £8 an hour by the end of the next Parliament, a guaranteed job for all young people who are out of work for more than a year and 25 hours-a-week free childcare for all working parents of three and four year olds.

The motion voted on was:

• That the original words stand part of the Question.

The effect of the vote was that the motion was not passed.

Debate in Parliament | Source |