An increased awareness of foodbanks has led to a rise in people using them, the Conservative General Election candidate for Lichfield and Burntwood has claimed.
Michael Fabricant was appearing alongside Lib Dem rival Paul Ray and the Green Party’s Robert Pass at a hustings event at Wade Street Church.
Figures released last month showed that more than 200,000 meals had been handed out by the Lichfield Foodbank over the past three years, while a Trussell Trust report showed a continued increase in demand for foodbanks across the UK.
But when quizzed on the issue at the hustings event, Conservative candidate Michael Fabricant said awareness had helped increase demand for such services.
“The reason there are so many people using foodbanks is that they are now actively promoted by the Department for Work and Pensions,” he said. “This is something that wasn’t happening before.”
The Lichfield Foodbank has recently launched an appeal for additional items after seeing “high demand” for its services.
Mr Fabricant said: “The magic money tree policies offered up by other parties would lead to higher unemployment and more people using foodbanks.
“In an ideal world we wouldn’t see anyone using foodbanks – but remember that it could be much worse.”
His comments drew criticism from his rivals on the night, with the Green Party candidate saying Tory cuts were forcing low income families to rely on handouts.
“There has been a 16% year on year increase in foodbank usage,” Mr Pass said. “This has come as continued Conservative cuts continue to bite.
“It is indefensible and absolute disgrace.”
The Liberal Democrat hopeful also waded into the row, branding the rising demand for foodbanks “shameful”.
Mr Ray added: “It is wrong that people are relying on these services.
“Yes, there has been a need for some cuts to the benefits bill, but enough is enough.”
Meanwhile, there was also an interjection from the hustings chairman who confirmed that the majority of those using foodbanks in Lichfield were people in employment.
