QUEUING FOR HAND-OUTS

Academics were commissioned by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to carry out  an evaluation of the evidence on the use of food banks and soup kitchens in England. 'The study, by a team based at Warwick University, was completed in March. It is understood to show a surge in food bank use with twice as many people turning to them for free food in 2012 as in 2011. The report is expected to blame the soaring cost of food; prices have risen by an average of 30% in the past five years, while average incomes have remained frozen.' (Sunday Times, 3 November) Users of these facilities are typically given three day's worth of nutritionally balance, non-perishable food. They must be referred by doctors, social workers or some other officials. This is the plight of a growing number of workers. Cap in hand, begging for food in a so-called advanced economy. Capitalism stinks! RD