![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/out-of-touch-tory-minister-claims-using-food-bank-use-is-a-personal-decision/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2_Johnny-Mercer.jpg&description=In a bruising TV encounter Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said the armed forces earn a 'good wage' and blamed 'personal decisions' for their use amid reports RAF personnel are using food banks A Tory minister has claimed that food bank use is a personal choice after he was confronted over members of the armed forces using them. In a bruising TV encounter Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said military personnel earn a "good wage" and blamed "personal decisions" for their use. Last month it emerged that an unofficial food bank at an RAF base in Lincolnshire was being used by staff struggling with the cost of living. Mr Mercer said it is "not correct" that people do not choose to use food banks. He told Sky News: "These are personal decisions around how people are budgeting every month. "I don't want to see anyone using food banks, of course I don't. But we're in an extremely difficult time around cost of living. "I'll always advocate for service personnel to get paid more, I'd be mad not to. But it has to be within the constraints of a budget." Put to him that people do not choose to rely on food banks, Mr Mercer replied: "Well, in my experience that is not correct. "I think there are some dire cases that we need to do more to wrap our arms around and make sure that there is a safety net for people. "I don't think food bank use is an accurate portrayal of where levels of poverty, relative or absolute poverty, are in this country." Those who use food banks are often referred by a service or specialist - such as a doctor, health visitor, social workers or Citizens Advice. Mr Mercer added: "I don't want to see anybody using food banks but I think that being in the military still affords you a good wage and a good quality of life. "And that will continue to be the case." Last month Sky reported that RAF personnel are now using a food bank at RAF Coningsby that was originally set up to help the local community. A leaked internal report said people were being forced to choo){kind=link}
In a bruising TV encounter Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said the armed forces earn a ‘good wage’ and blamed ‘personal decisions’ for their use amid reports RAF personnel are using food banks
A Tory minister has claimed that food bank use is a personal choice after he was confronted over members of the armed forces using them.
In a bruising TV encounter Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said military personnel earn a “good wage” and blamed “personal decisions” for their use.
Last month it emerged that an unofficial food bank at an RAF base in Lincolnshire was being used by staff struggling with the cost of living.
Mr Mercer said it is “not correct” that people do not choose to use food banks.