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Sunderland City Council leaders are to consider plans ‘to look at the growing dependence’ and to ‘wean’ families off food banks. Concerns have been raised about the extent to which Sunderland households have come to rely on the handouts, particularly over the last 12 months of the coronavirus pandemic. And as well as guaranteeing access to nutritious meals, the need to promote cookery and other preparation skills are also expected to be highlighted.

Rebecca Royle: Most families who have been forced to resort to food banks CAN cook proper meals ..... that’s not where they need the help it’s financial help they need!!! Losing the family allowance or whatever it was is just going to push more and more families over the edge ..... it’s not acceptable!

Sarah Louise Fairclough:

If you look at the people using the food banks you will find a lot are employed and after rent and others bills are struggling as they get NO help from the government or universal credit as they earn too much.. some case it's a few pound over the threshold, also alot of people have been furloughed for the last year on 70% of their wages yet all the bills and rent are still the same or have increased!!

Alan Huntrod:

What a disgrace this day and age, we are the 6 richest country in the world, all politicians should hang there heads in shame.

Norma Wright:

We all know the “growing dependence on food banks” is due entirely to the policies of this Tory Government. Let us not forget that and continue to acknowledge and fight against these policies.

Bill Walton: Norma Wright, The same Tory government who has extended the furlough scheme and given people an extra £20 per week UC.

John Hodgson:

Bill Walton, The same

Tory government that was pressured into maintaining the £20 extra per week and extend the furlough scheme by the opposition parties after announcing they wanted to scrap them - yes them.

Sylvia Hargrave:

We will only ‘wean’ people off food banks when they are paid a decent wage or given adequate benefits. Does this woman really have a clue what some people are suffering at the moment, not just because of the pandemic but because of despicable Tory policies?