Figures from Chesterfield Food Bank showed that they helped feed almost 300 people last Christmas, and Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has warned that he expects the number to increase again this year and has urged residents to provide donations to help those in need.

Toby visited the Loundsley Green Food Bank to take in his own donation this Christmas and to speak to the staff and volunteers who work there. Toby was joined by local councillors, Avis Murphy, Tom Murphy and Ray Catt.

Toby said, “I am always impressed by the dedication of the volunteers at our food banks but disappointed that people are becoming increasingly dependent on them. The Chesterfield food bank provided food parcels to over 280 people last Christmas and I suspect that this number will increase again this year. I urge people to donate what they can this Christmas to help those in need.

Toby added, “Food prices have continued to increase whilst wages and benefits have not kept up with prices. We have also seen the disastrous roll-out of Universal Credit continue, which is causing massive disruption and leaving families without the money they need to pay the bills and buy food. We are also seeing vulnerable people losing their disability benefits and being expected to contribute more to their own care. The Government have abrogated their responsibilities and I am very grateful that we have a strong community spirit in Chesterfield to help protect in the direst circumstances.”