MY eye was drawn recently to a letter in my daily paper, from the Dean of Newport Cathedral, asking if an incoming Labour government would bring about an end to food banks. He wished to see an end to them and to the poverty that makes them necessary.

Whilst agreeing with the Dean’s sentiments, I cannot foresee food banks disappearing so quickly, though I am hopeful that food and fuel pressures will ease on families and the cost of living be less punitive.

There is also, however, the shameful matter of food waste. We have seen empty shelves in supermarkets, but at times of over-production, food from the stores ends up at food banks where it is welcomed. This is better than it being destroyed. The relationship between over-production and hardship is a curious one.

I hope that one day soon we shall achieve a better balance in society, so that need is met rather than greed satisfied. In the meantime, I applaud the work of the food bank volunteers, here in Craven and elsewhere, for their generous efforts to ease the burdens on ordinary people doing their best to make ends meet.

Celia Midgley

Skipton