We’re calling on candidates standing in the elections on 6 May 2021 to commit to working towards ending the need for food banks.
These elections are a vital opportunity to make clear that no one should be forced to turn to charity because they can’t afford the basics.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, more people than ever have been pushed into destitution, unable to afford the essentials that we all need to survive. This has led to unprecedented numbers of people needing emergency food.
However, these problems are not new. The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on and accelerated many of the issues that communities were already facing. There has been a 71% increase in emergency food parcels provided by food banks in the Trussell Trust’s UK network between 2015/16 and 2019/20. This isn’t right.
On 6 May 2021 elections will be held across England, Wales and Scotland.
Representatives will be elected for:
- Scottish Parliament
- Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament
- English local council elections
- English mayoral elections
These elections are a vital opportunity to make your voice heard and call for change. No one should be forced to use a food bank because they can’t afford the essentials, and it’s crucial that we signal to candidates from all political parties that they need to play their part – we can’t achieve a hunger free future alone
From their local community to their nation, each elected representative can use their power and influence to push for the changes we need to see to build a hunger free future. These elections are our chance to call on candidates to commit to creating a UK without the need for food banks and for newly elected governments, mayors and local authorities to develop a plan to do so, by:
- Ensuring everyone can afford the basics.
- Helping local services work together to ensure people get the right support at the right time.
- Involving people with direct experience of poverty and local food banks.
You can find out more about these policy asks in our briefings for candidates in England, Scotland and Wales.
It’s quick and easy to contact local candidates and ask them to pledge to working to end the need for food banks – simply email them using our online form now using the links above. And if you’d like to get in touch with your candidate for the local elections in England, you can download this letter.