Findings from APPG Food Bank Inquiry echo LCR Sustainable and Affordable Food recommendations

In March 2023 the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ending the Need for Foodbanks released its report on the ways that people in crisis can access support and the growing normalisation of emergency food as a response.

The report “Cash or food? Exploring effective responses to destitution” summarises the findings from the landmark inquiry, supported by the Trussell Trust, which sought evidence through a variety of methods including a call for written evidence, oral evidence sessions, community workshops and site visits.

Many of the outcomes and recommendations developed from the evidence gathered in the report mirror that of the VS6 Liverpool City Region Sustainable and Affordable Food report published in December 2022, particularly around the inability for emergency food responses to solely lift people out of poverty.

The inquiry report summarised the main ways in which people living in destitution and those that are unable to regularly afford to purchase food and other essential items, along with an analysis of their effectiveness and appropriateness:

·       Food-based support, such as food banks and community pantries, were recognised as important focal points within communities providing a safe space for people in crisis to access support however despite this, they are not appropriate long-term solutions to destitution. The report highlighted issues around reliance on donations, accessibility for those unable to travel and feelings of shame felt by service users. Food pantry models were recognised as being a more dignified method of accessing food support however faced many of the same pitfalls as food banks.

·       The inquiry also explored the “cash first” approach of support which often includes the administration of cash grants to struggling households instead of food bank vouchers. The report stated that several of the main challenges with food-based support are mitigated by cash first approaches, when paired with a strong local support system, and provide a more dignified form of support. The report highlights the temporary increased to Universal Credit allowances of £20 during the pandemic, which is credited with reducing food insecurity and the need for food banks.

·       Local crisis support and local welfare assistance delivered by local authorities and devolved governments was also highlighted as having a crucial role in in reducing food insecurity. In England, councils have flexibility over how to tailor local support however there is no ring-fenced funding nor statutory duty to deliver local welfare assistance which is evidenced by the variation of support provided across the country. The latest round of the governments Household Support Fund for 2023/24 sees the largest investment in the capacity of local authorities to deliver local crisis support since the abolition of the Social Fund in 2013, with the guidance explicitly mentioning the use of cash as an option for support for the first time.

These findings are similar to those contained within the VS6 Sustainable and Affordable Food Report, in which leaders from community food organisations across LCR faced many challenges with inconsistent donations, obtaining long-term funding and meeting the demands of communities during the cost of living crisis. In addition, despite often limited resources, our community food organisations in Liverpool City Region (LCR)  were identified as crucial partners of a wider voluntary sector support network, often working alongside and referring service users to other organisations providing information, support and advice. Leaders also recognised that crisis response was unable to address the root causes of food insecurity and destitution alone, and that a city region wide, cross-sector co-ordinated strategy was needed to build an LCR where everyone can access affordable and nutritious food.

The APPG inquiry report is clear in delivering the message that we must prevent people from reaching financial crisis by tackling the drivers of destitution and inequalities. Crisis responses are but one part of the larger picture and we must design policy that looks at longer term responses and preventative measures. The VS6 Sustainable and Affordable Food report recommendations were split into short and medium-long term recommendations for developing an LCR food insecurity strategy, echoing this need to move on from just emergency responses towards more sustained and strategic approaches.

In summary, the APPG is calling on all levels of government to:

1.       Deliver a long-term strategy for local crisis support underpinned by the principles for ensuring support is effective and dignified.

2.       Provide cash-first approaches as the default response to financial crisis, whilst ensuring a range of suitable options are available to people depending on their individual needs.

3.       Improve data-sharing between all levels of government to develop a holistic picture of local financial hardship.

4.       Provide funding to develop and coordinate strong local support systems which mean no one has to turn to a food bank as a first port of call.

5.       Ensure that local crisis support is accessible to all and no one is excluded.

The VS6 Partnership recognise that these calls to action both echo and complement the recommendations contained within the VS6 Sustainable and Affordable Food report and the experiences and expertise of the community food sector in LCR.

You can find the APPG report on ending the need for Food Banks here.

You can also find the VS6 Partnership Liverpool City Region Sustainable and Affordable Food report here.