Briefing page for Trussell Trust food banks
General Election 2019 – help us raise the issue of hunger with candidates and voters
To reach a future where no one needs a food bank, we need our next government to play its part.
So, this General Election, we’re asking candidates on all sides to pledge to protect people from hunger by ensuring we all have enough money for the basics.
We think our next government could start working towards a future where no one needs a food bank by:
- Ending the five week wait for Universal Credit
- Making sure benefit payments cover the cost of living
- Investing in local emergency support for people in crisis
Find out more about why we’re calling for these changes by reading our State of Hunger report.
We need your help!
We have a huge opportunity to make sure there are MPs of all parties committed to ending the need for food banks. But with thousands of candidates across the UK, we simply won’t be able to do this alone.
If we’re going to convince every candidate to pledge to protect people from hunger by ensuring we all have enough money for the basics, we’re going to have to work together.
Here’s what you can do
1. Raise awareness in your local area about the demand for your food bank and what needs to change, by issuing a press release and writing to your local paper.
2. Raise awareness on social media of our policy asks using these suggested social media posts.
3. Ask your local candidates to visit your food bank to find out about your work and the reasons behind food bank use.
4. Raise the issue of hunger and poverty at a local hustings or in a local radio phone in.
Of course, we need to make sure we’re not being party political, especially before an election. Our guidance gives you some tips on complying with the Lobbying Act.
Contact us: If you have any questions or concerns, or want to tell us about how you’ve engaged your local candidates, contact [email protected].