It is a disgrace that there are people who need to use food banks in a country as rich as the UK.

Lib Dems have been tackling part of the problem of poverty by raising the tax threshold. But this does not solve the problem of food poverty.

As research by the Centre for Research In Social Policy at the University of Loughborough have shown the problems are twofold; one is that the level of benefit is not adequate for an acceptable standard of living, and the other is that benefits are withdrawn virtually pound for pound as recipients gain income. This is equivalent to a tax rate of over 90% and is a disincentive to starting to gain income.

I do hope that the Lib Dems will pick up this issue, look at the research that has been undertaken by CRSP and come up with policy that will tackle the problem of poverty effectively.

David Walker
29/8/14

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