Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of how many food banks (1) are operating in England, and (2) were set up in each year since 2010; and what assessment they have made of the factors which led to food banks being established.

No assessment has been made.

Foodbanks are independent, charitable organisations and the Department for Work and Pensions does not have any role in their operation. There is no consistent and accurate measure of food bank usage at a national level.