Jane Dodds Raises Montgomeryshire Food Bank Struggles

During a Senedd debate today, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Mid & West Wales Senedd Member Jane Dodds raised the plight of foodbanks across Montgomeryshire as they struggle with increased demand and stretched resources amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Jane Dodds was questioning the Labour Minister of Social Justice Jane Hutt in response to a question on child poverty tabled by Montgomeryshire’s Conservative MS Russell George.

Jane Dodds, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales.

Commenting Jane Dodds MS said:

“There has been a significant rise in the number of foodbanks across Powys over recent years, with child poverty remaining stubbornly high across the whole county. With child poverty rates of over 30% both Montgomeryshire and Brecon and Radnorshire had some of the highest child poverty rates in the UK outside of inner cities even before the cost-of-living crisis began.

“Having spoken to a food bank in Newtown, Montgomeryshire recently they were clear with me that the two challenges they face this autumn and winter were fewer donations and increased demand.

“In particular it was stressed the numbers of young families accessing food banks had increased significantly. A significant number of people accessing food banks are also now in full-time work, including some NHS staff.

“Over the school holidays, the Garth Owen Fish Bar in Newtown started providing free meals to children because families simply didn’t have enough money to feed themselves when free school dinners stopped for the summer. This is a heroic act of community spirit and generosity that inspires us all.

“However, it is not acceptable that in the world’s 5th largest economy, families are having to rely on the generosity of the community to make sure their children don’t go hungry.

“A great deal of this breakdown in our economy is sadly due to the Conservative party and their failure to invest in communities outside the South East of England. Just this week we have seen the cruelty of the party at its worse as Prime Minister Liz Truss refused to commit to benefits rising with inflation, a decision that would plunge thousands more into poverty.

“But the Welsh Labour Government is not also without significant powers, it is for this reason I want to see the Welsh Government go further to support community groups, food banks, and small independent businesses - like the ones I’ve spoken to in Montgomeryshire - that are trying to do their best to shield young families from the excesses of the cost of living crisis.”

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