HALF a million people used food banks in the UK last year. Charitable support programmes are rapidly expanding but, nonetheless, a quarter of families are shrinking their portion sizes.

Some 5,500 people were admitted to hospital for malnutrition last year. I believe no one should go hungry in Britain. More and more people are just one unexpected bill away from facing bare cupboards.

This is a national and moral crisis and the Government must act to protect the half a million going hungry in Britain.

That is why I am fasting, with many others across the country, tomorrow in support of the End Hunger Fast Campaign— endhunger fast.co.uk In doing so I am calling upon the Government to ensure that: l The welfare system provides a robust last line of defence against hunger in Britain; l Work pays enough for working people to properly provide for their families; l Food markets function, promoting long term sustainable and healthy diets, with no one profiteering from hunger in Britain.

I am going hungry voluntarily — but many are being forced into hunger and that is not acceptable in Britain today.

Stephen Lingwood Minister, Bank Street Unitarian Chapel, Bolton