John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor joined Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP on Wednesday outside Parliament at Unite’s Hope not Hunger pop-upfood bank to take a stand against hunger.

Figures released on Friday 2nd December revealed that during December 2015, The Trussell Trust’s foodbank network provided 133,734 three day emergency food supplies to people in crisis; 56,779 of these went to children.

The call comes with the launch of Unite’s Hope not Hunger Christmas appeal which has already raised thousands of pounds in donations for Trussell Trust foodbanks from union members across the country.

John said: “It’s a disgrace that we have a Government at the moment who can’t even feed its own people. “One million food parcels were given out last year by the Trussell Trust alone which is a very alarming situation.”

Len McCluskey, Unite General Secrerary, said: “No person should have to choose between heating and eating this Christmas but without the support of local foodbanks up and down the country many thousands will.

“Holiday food is good, but foodbanks also need the basics that we take for granted like toilet rolls, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, winter coats, gloves, scarves and Christmas presents for the kids.”