Question reference: S6W-09353
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 27 June 2022
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 13 July 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to mitigate the reported rise in the use of food banks and ensure that adults and children are able to meet their basic needs.
Answer
No one should have to rely on charitable food provision which is why we have committed to publishing a plan on ending the need for food banks this Autumn.
We consulted on a draft plan earlier this year, which reaffirms our human rights approach – we prioritise action to prevent poverty and promote cash-first responses to hardship so that people have sufficient income to meet their needs and preferences.
Both the Trussell Trust and the Independent Food Aid Network have endorsed the cash-first approach, including through our Scottish Welfare Fund and low income pandemic supports.
Through the budget for 2022-23 the Scottish Government has allocated almost £3 billion to a range of supports that will contribute to mitigating the impact of the increased cost of living on households. This includes work to tackle child poverty, reduce inequalities and support financial wellbeing, alongside social security payments not available anywhere else in the UK.