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Link to this page: https://archive.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/764/16646
From The Socialist newspaper, 8 May 2013
One in five borrow to buy food
Five million families in Britain are struggling to pay for food and are reaching "breaking point" according to a 'Which?' survey.
One in five surveyed had to borrow money to meet food costs. A third of these had borrowed from family members.
Unsurprisingly the poorest are the worst affected - mainly households with an annual income under £21,000. Many are using credit cards, overdrafts or savings.
Incomes fall
Real incomes have fallen to the level of a decade ago as prices have risen much faster than wages, which are frozen for many workers.
Combined with the devastating attacks on benefits, working class people struggling for food is the inevitable outcome. 83% of teachers report seeing children hungry at school.
Without action the problem will only get worse. More than 50% said that they would be cutting back on food costs in the next few months.
Food prices took a very small dip in April but this does nothing to counteract the hugely above inflation price rises over the course of the economic crisis.
Meanwhile MPs, who each get paid at least £65,738, continue to enjoy subsidised food in parliament, at a public expense of £5.8 million a year.
We keep hearing about banks being back to making huge profits. The luxury goods market is one of the only ones to have avoided the recession.
The wealth that exists in society is more than enough to provide plentiful, nutritious food for all - it's the least we should be able to expect.
But capitalism means that food producers prioritise their profits. Even before the current economic crisis billions went hungry around the world.
We need food production planned democratically by the working class majority. And we need benefits and wages that are enough to live on.
As a first step in a movement to fight for these things, the TUC must call a 24-hour general strike against austerity and its devastating effects on our lives.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
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In The Socialist 8 May 2013:
Socialist Party news and analysis
NHS WARNING! Privatisation puts patients at risk
One in five borrow to buy food
Food banks and fighting austerity
Socialist Party election analysis
Capitalist parties rejected: Time for a new mass workers' party
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Salford - two-faced attack on mental health
Defend Liverpool's jobs and services - then and now
Socialist Party workplace news
Trade unions recommend more cuts in Neath/Port Talbot
CWU supports 24-hour general strike
International socialist news and analysis
Portugal: Government in disarray... Left must seize the opportunity
The Palestinian struggle - How can a state be realised?
May Day - fighting capitalist oppression internationally
Greece: Challenging the Golden Dawn
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