Sarah Dyke, the Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, has condemned the Conservatives for overseeing a dramatic increase in the number of food bank parcels distributed since they came to power in 2010.

In 2010/11, the Trussell Trust, which supports the largest network of food banks in the UK, distributed 61,000 food parcels. Between April 2022 and March 2023, the charity distributed close to 3 million - an almost 50 fold increase. There are now more food banks in the UK than McDonald's restaurants.

Earlier this year, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Ending the Need for Food Banks conducted a landmark inquiry looking at how to tackle the growing need for food banks. The APPG's report called for funding and guidance to make sure strong local support systems are in place to ensure no one has to turn to a food bank as a first port of call. It also said that cash should be readily available as part of the local crisis support offer for people facing hardship. 

Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, said: "It's utterly shocking that, in 2023, record numbers of people are turning to food banks in order to feed themselves and their families. The Conservatives should hang their heads in shame at having seen an almost 50 fold increase in food parcel distribution on their watch.  

"The Tories have designed the welfare system based on their backward-looking view of work and families and are making food insecurity so much worse. In 2021/22, 4.7 million people, or 7% of the UK population, were in food insecure households. We urgently need a change of government to put this right."