MSP visits North-east food bank amid cost-of-living crisis

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has visited a north-east food bank to discuss the challenges ahead for this winter as the cost-of-living crisis continues to worsen.

Ms Martin met with local organisers to discuss the need for more donations as well as volunteers to help support the food bank based in Inverurie.

At the end of August, Ofgem announced energy bills for a typical household would increase from October to £3549.

Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said: “It was good to meet with Shona and other team members to hear first-hand the very real challenges they are facing. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on everyone, the need for donations and volunteers has only increased.

“Please if you are in a position to do so, donate to your local food bank and if you are able to spare some time, consider volunteering.

"The first task of the next Prime Minister must be to hold an emergency budget that reverses the energy price cap increase, doubles the energy bills payment, uprates benefits as the Scottish Government has done, matches the Scottish Child Payment, and reinstates and increases the Universal Credit uplift.”

Co-ordinator Shona Singer said: “We welcomed a visit from Gillian Martin to our Inverurie Food Bank and the opportunity to share our concerns about the difficult winter we have ahead.

“Gillian was supportive of our mission to end hunger in Aberdeenshire, by meeting both the immediate need for emergency food and also pushing for policy change to end the need for food banks.

“We would encourage Gillian’s constituents to visit our website to give help or get help; we are always looking for volunteers, food and monetary donations.”

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