From Mr Laurence Young
Sir, - The Archbishop of Canterbury's use of the Mail on
Sunday, rather than being "shrewd" (Press, 12 December),
publicised the thoughtful and constructive Feeding Britain
report by use of vague and emotive phrases, and thus merely helped
frame debate into a hackneyed party-political context.
Unlike the more rumbustious Faith in the City report of
1985, which overtly sought to place many social ills of the day at
the doorstep of the Thatcher government, Feeding Britain
seems a set of more measured, collaborative insights, identifying,
for example, that up to one third of foodbank use is generated not
by a systemic UK famine, but by government departments' needing a
kick up their administrative backsides to get them to make payments
promptly.
Such a PR-driven approach also sidelined significant work being
done by foodbanks, acting not just as distribution centres, but
places of outreach, where genuine longer-term social problems are
beginning to be uncovered and addressed.
In addition, the tactic diverted attention from underlying
drivers of poverty and from scandalous issues such as the UK's vast
food waste: "4.3 million tonnes of surplus food [is] produced each
year by retailers and their suppliers."
It can be argued that Faith in the City led to a raft
of UK inner-city improvement and regeneration initiatives that had
long-term and positive outcomes. Let's hope Feeding
Britain has a similar effect.
LAURENCE YOUNG
3 Dark Hill, Davington
Kent ME13 7SP