Hosting evidence sessions for poverty inquiry

As the home of the Trussell Trust, it feels appropriate to be holding one of the hearings in Salisbury.

During the all-day session, we will discuss the drivers behind the growth in food bank usage and consider the factors that cause food poverty to persist among certain individuals, even in what is generally considered to be a relatively affluent area.

I am delighted that the Bishop of Salisbury will be in attendance and that my colleagues and I will also visit both Alabaré Place and the Trussell Trust and meet with staff and clients of local providers of food aid and those who deal on a day-to-day basis with people at risk of food poverty.

The inquiry will hear from Wiltshire Council representatives, and invitations have been extended to councillors from all parties.

This is important work and I hope that the evidence we hear in Salisbury will contribute to the production of a balanced and meaningful report for all party leaders in Westminster to examine and profit from.

Political battle lines have been drawn around this issue in the past but I hope that the process of hearing from people on the frontline of food poverty will supersede divisions and allow a holistic consideration of the many elements that cause and perpetuate food poverty – be they connected to the benefits system, personal behaviour or a combination of both.

For example, we cannot afford to exclude as a factor the rises in food prices, housing and other non discretionary items as a proportion of limited household income over many years.

In order to be truly worthwhile, the inquiry must be willing to go where the evidence leads and I look forward to what will doubtless be a challenging but rewarding day.

In the evening, I will to drop in to Wilton’s D-Day commemorations before fulfilling a long-standing engagement with the Federation of Small Businesses, when topics ranging from Europe to planning regulations will be on the agenda.