Scottish Government sets out three year plan to tackle food insecurity and remove need for food banks in longer term

Underpinned by human rights, plan includes a ‘Cash-First Programme’ integrated with money advice and wider support

The Scottish Government has set out a three year plan to tackle food insecurity and remove the need for food banks in the longer term.

Introducing the plan – Cash-First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland – Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville highlights that the spiralling cost of living is forcing record numbers to make desperate decisions including cutting back on essentials, choosing between heating or eating, and turning to food banks to feed themselves and their families.

However, promising that the Scottish Government will use every power at its disposal to tackle poverty and protect the vulnerable, Ms Somerville sets out nine actions that it will take forward over the next three years to help reduce the demand for emergency food parcels –

• establish a new £1.8 million Cash-First Programme in partnership with the public and third sector;
• expand testing of new models that provide immediate assistance such as shopping cards;
• improve access to advice in accessible settings;
• support wellbeing through community food approaches;
• continue to support cash-first models that are inclusive of people with No Recourse to Public Funds, such as the Scottish Crisis Fund;
• make it easier to refer to cash-first support;
• maintain investment in the Scottish Welfare Fund and work with partners to produce an Action Plan to deliver improvements;
• continue to listen to the direct experience of people; and
• work with other funders to put shared values into practice.

In addition, in the longer term, the Scottish Government says it will continue to use its devolved powers to deliver measures to reduce poverty and inequality, alongside maintaining its call on the UK Government to use its powers to strengthen household incomes.

Ms Somerville said today –

'Whilst none of us want food banks, we recognise the important role they play for people in need. This plan, the first of its kind by any UK Government, will support people who face food insecurity and will move us closer to our longer-term ambition of a country where there is no need for food banks.

We want to ensure we reach people in need and by providing a cash-first approach, backed by advice and support, we will support people to strengthen their incomes and prevent future hardship and crisis, allowing them more choice and dignity.

Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of the Scottish Government’s three critical missions. The Trussell Trust suggests that our Scottish Child Payment may have helped to slow the pace of demand for emergency food parcels last year.

Without the full economic and fiscal powers of an independent nation we can’t eradicate poverty, but we are taking all the action we can to support people within our limited powers and fixed budget.'

For more information, see Tackling food insecurity from gov.scot