TRADE unions, academics, campaigners and more called on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer today to end “foodbank Britain,” warning him not to normalise the need.

Organised by the Food and Work Network (Fawn), the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) and the Right to Food Campaign, the letter is calling on the government to end the reliance on food charity and foodbanks by driving up wages, improving working terms and conditions and re-establishing a compassionate system of genuine social security.

BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley said: “Labour has the chance to end hunger in this country.

“And it must take the opportunity to tackle food insecurity and end the need for foodbanks.

“It is a disgrace that so many of our people, including many in work, have to rely on foodbanks to feed themselves and their families.

“This letter and the signatories on it show clearly that we expect action and that normalising foodbank Britain will not be tolerated.”

The signatories include the general secretaries of the Fire Brigades Union, Communication Workers Union, Aslef, National Education Union, University and College Union as well as Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne.