The shadow Secretary of State for Food and Rural Affairs, Mary Creagh, visited Bradford Foodbank yesterday ahead of a Parliamentary debate about food poverty.

She met volunteers and people who benefit from the service, which is based at the Light Church and is part of the wider Trussell Trust network. It provides a safe environment and food to individuals and families, as well as directing them to other support services.

Mrs Creagh said: “I have been aware about the growth in the number of foodbanks and these organisations. I wanted to come and see how it works as a system, what the challenges are and get a feel for the issues.”

The Labour MP for Wakefield said she spoke to people who had had good jobs, but had fallen on hard times through circumstances or making poor decisions, who found a lifeline in the foodbank.

“There is so much demand for these services,” she said. “As far as I can see it is not going to get easier. I am deeply worried we are seeing inequality rising and this is how it shows itself.”