By Democrat reporter
Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has said that by enshrining the Right to Food into Scots Law we can make this Christmas the last Christmas that people are forced to go hungry.
Food poverty in Scotland is at an unacceptable level, with the Trussell Trust delivering 110,965 food parcels between 1 April and 30 September this year in Scotland. 37,125 of these parcels were delivered to children.
With food prices set to rise due to Brexit, and the Conservatives failing to increase support for those on universal credit, there is a risk of a further rise in food poverty in Scotland.
Jackie Baillie, left, is asking for cross-party support to prevent this from happening, with backing for a members’ bill calling for the UN-recognised Right to Food to be enshrined in Scots’ Law.
There are a number of foodbanks across West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute who have provided assistance to those in need all year and which will be providing food to many over the Christmas period. These organisations include West Dunbartonshire Foodshare, Helensburgh Foodbank, Rosneath Peninsula Foodbank, Jean’s Bothy and Food for Thought.
Jackie Baillie MSP said: “There is no reason at all why anyone should be going hungry in a wealthy nation like Scotland.
“Food poverty is a blight on our society that should shame us all. Governments are simply not doing enough and food poverty is still on the rise.
“Our community has many dedicated volunteers who run food distribution centres and they will be working around the clock to ensure that local people don’t go hungry this Christmas. They deserve our thanks.
“Together we can end food poverty and make this the last Christmas that people in Scotland have to go hungry.”
Not much chance of that Jackie.
Out of the EU we might not be putting children up chimneys or dumping raw sewage on the beaches just yet, but its coming. And your party, Labour, voted for it.
Proud poor Brits are us!