COMMUNITY groups are taking their fight directly to the chancellor of the exchequer as the city could plunge further into food poverty.

A coalition of 44 food groups has sent a letter to Rishi Sunak amid concerns tomorrow’s Budget fails to address widespread hunger in Brighton and Hove.

Brighton and Hove Emergency Food Network is calling for immediate action to be included in the Budget to ensure “everybody’s basic needs can be met”. The steps include:

• Increasing benefits by at least 7 per cent to reflect the true level of inflation, rather than the 3.1 per cent proposed.

• Reinstating the £20 uplift to Universal Credit introduced in the pandemic to cover increased household costs, but later withdrawn despite costs not having come down.

• Raising the minimum wage for young people aged 18 or over to the same level as those over 23, as they face the same high costs of living.

The Argus: Brighton and Hove Emergency Food Network is calling for an end to hunger to be included in Mr Sunak's BudgetBrighton and Hove Emergency Food Network is calling for an end to hunger to be included in Mr Sunak's Budget

Vic Borrill, director of Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, which convenes the Emergency Food Network, said: “The number of meals and food parcels delivered by Brighton & Hove Emergency Food Network members has increased more than 12-fold in the past nine years.

“This is not sustainable, and the situation is desperate. The voices of hungry people need to be heard and the government must do more to help.”

The network is also demanding a full enquiry into the role of food banks in society, as it says the “informal safety nets” are now at their greatest risk of failing due to increased food prices and “plugging” of welfare payments.

The Argus: Mr Sunak took £20 away from Universal Credit recipients, after it was given to help with payments during the pandemicMr Sunak took £20 away from Universal Credit recipients, after it was given to help with payments during the pandemic

“We all eat, and it is not just one group experiencing poverty today. The government needs to see the bigger picture,” said Vic.

The New Economics Foundation calculated that by April this year as many as 34.2% of the United Kingdom’s population will be living under a “socially unacceptable” standard of living.

The Argus: Food banks have seen a huge increase in usageFood banks have seen a huge increase in usage

Brighton and Hove Emergency Food Network also sent their letter to George Eustice the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affair, Thérèse Coffey the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and all Brighton and Hove MPs.

All have been contacted by The Argus for comment.