Link Between Distribution of Free Food, UK Austerity Measures - Study

There is a strong correlation between the implementation of austerity policies and an increase in the distribution of free food in the United Kingdom, according to a recent study.

LONDON (Sputnik) – An academic study found that there is a strong link between the implementation of austerity policies and an increase in the distribution of free food in the United Kingdom, which the government has denied in recent years, the study's lead author told Sputnik.

"We…analysed where banks are giving more food we found again that where greater cuts and high levels of sanctions, meaning that their income was cut for a period time, there was more food being distributed," Rachel Loopstra of the Department of Sociology of the University of Oxford said.

"These links suggest that there is a relationship between austerity measures and people not having enough food to provide for their household," Loopstra said.

The study, "Austerity, sanctions and the rise of food banks in the UK," was published Thursday.

"We were surprised that the link was so strong."

The rapid expansion of "food banks" in Britain is a new phenomenon. In 2009-2010, food banks of Trussel Trust, a NGO that coordinates food banks in the country, were operating in 29 regions in the UK. The figure increased to 251 by 2013-2014, the study found. Emergency food parcels were distributed 913,138 people in 2014, showing a seven-fold increase since 2011-2012.

"Is truth [that people use food banks because they are hungry]. This sanctioning and welfare and benefits cuts suggest it means hardship and are having to use [food] banks. These links suggest this is the case," Loopstra told Sputnik.

The UK government introduced a five-year austerity program in 2010, later extended to 2018. The program, aimed at reducing the country's budget deficit, stipulates substantial public spending cuts.