WE have grown to accept the presence of foodbanks in our communities as a social and economic fact of life.

But the most worrying things about the latest figures on foodbank use is that they represent just the tip of the iceberg of food poverty.

A letter signed by 36 Anglican bishops and more than 600 church leaders from all major dominations calls for urgent government action.

As the economy gradually begins to recover and growth returns, we might expect the number of people who depend on foodbanks to drop significantly.

Worryingly, we are likely to be disappointed.