Local councils in England and Wales have spent nearly £3 million over the last two years on tackling food poverty, an investigation has revealed. Well over a third of all councils – 140 out of 323 responding – told a survey for the BBC's Panorama programme that they have subsidised foodbanks.
 
Both the Trussell Trust (the largest network of food banks) and Citizens Advice told the BBC the main causes of the rise in demand are problems with benefits, low income and debt.
 
Source: Hungry Britain?, Panorama, BBC One, 3 March 2014
Links: BBC iPlayer | BBC report | Guardian report | Inside Housing report