TWO DORSET MPs have said that food banks calling for help is an indicator of wider difficulties faced by the county going into winter.

Bournemouth Foodbank announced demand for their services has doubled by more than 50 per cent in the past year.

And with Ofgem announcing the energy price cap will rise to £3,549 from October 1, many more residents are likely to struggle this winter.

The Daily Echo asked Dorset MPs whether the government would provide any extra support for community initiatives helping people with the cost of living.

Bournemouth Echo:

Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset, said: “I think what we do know is that in this country, there is always a huge impulse to help and get involved. We have a very strong community focus in North Dorset.

“We've got very well patronised food banks in terms of volunteers and people who donate.

“The communities pull together and do things to help their friends and neighbours and that is to be encouraged, but we all want to live in a society whereby the necessity of food banks becomes something of the past.

“I mean, we would all prefer them not to have to exist, there’s no getting away from that. I think it's very difficult that the need for them is there that they are, and they are doing a fantastic job. And for many families, they make that difference on a weekly basis.

“I don't think there should be additional government support for foodbanks, I think the government can do other things principally when it comes to VAT.

“VAT is the easiest tax for a government to deal with. It can be done in very short order. And immediately the effect of that is felt from day one.

“So if you were to say, for example, reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, that could be done within a few hours. Likewise VAT on things that you go and buy in shops and those sorts of things, that can all be of itself incredibly helpful and has an immediacy that meets people’s needs.

“It may be that we have to do some more things when it comes to means testing. Should we resurrect the 20 pound increase in universal credit? I think the answer to that is compellingly, yes. Or with regards to more subsidies for kids who use school transport, which a lot of families are finding very expensive.

“There are things that will be done there, which have a very targeted and immediate benefit to those who are most in need.”

Bournemouth Echo:

Tobias Ellwood, Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East: “Ultimately this is a pretty good indicator as to the difficulties the nation is in, a yardstick, if you like.

“The fact that they are calling out for help, is a recognition that the government must act. There's a sense of urgency here, absolutely.

“If Parliament was sitting right now, there would be urgent questions over this. There would be demands for, for government statements.

“So we shouldn't allow either the leadership contest or the fact that we're in recess to prevent the government from acting immediately. I’m going to be focusing on many of these issues in my debate in the first week.”