LOCAL MP Stephen Doughty has paid tribute to the work of foodbank volunteers in Penarth and Cardiff.

Speaking in Parliament in an Opposition Day debate on foodbanks on Wednesday, December 17, he said: “I pay tribute to the many volunteers and organisations in my constituency, including Cardiff foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust network and fed more than 4,500 people in the past year. The independent food bank at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Penarth fed an increasing number of people this year—2,180 to date, and that number is increasing all the time.”

The debate focused on the increasing use of food banks across the country, which the Labour and Co-operative MP for Cardiff South and Penarth said is a result of the cost-of-living crisis being felt by working families and the most vulnerable in society.

Speaking after the debate, he added: “Under this Tory-led Government we are seeing a cost-of-living crisis that is pushing increasing numbers of families into severe hardship.

“Low pay and rising prices, and policies such as the bedroom tax and punitive sanctions, have pushed hundreds of thousands into relying on food banks.”

Stephen’s contribution and the debate in full can be read here:

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2014-12-17a.1480.0&s=speaker%3A25166#g1514.0