Expanding food banks is no substitute for tackling poverty, charities warn

Letter to the Observer signed by experts from around the world says proper government policies are needed

A growing reliance" on food banks across the world risks discouraging proper state policies to deal with poverty, according to a joint warning issued by academics and charities.

A letter to the Observer, signed by scores of organisations and academics from several countries, warns that food banks are not a permanent solution. They add that the planned expansion of food banks to new countries could exacerbate the problem.