Tory minister in row over 'appalling' food bank comments - 'Collective bed-wetting'

Johnny Mercer has hit back at "bed-wetting" criticism after been branded "out of touch" for suggesting military personnel who use food banks do so as a lifestyle choice.

The veterans minister also suggested that food bank usage is "not an accurate portrayal" of levels of poverty in the UK.

His comments come nearly one week after a study by food bank charity the Trussell Trust showed one in seven people in the UK have faced hunger in the past year.

They also follow a report by Sky News revealing that serving military personnel were turning to food banks as they struggled with the cost of living crisis.

However, Mercer remained defiant as he was questioned on the findings on Tuesday morning, attracting criticism from former servicemen and food bank charities.

Watch: Veterans minister claims food bank use among military personnel is a 'personal choice'

Asked if it is fair to say that people "choose to use" food banks, he told Sky News' Kay Burley: “These are personal decisions around how people are budgeting every month.

“I don’t want to see anyone using food banks, of course I don’t. But we’re in an extremely difficult time around cost of living.

"I’ll always advocate for service personnel to get paid more, I’d be mad not to. But it has to be within the constraints of a budget.”

Fred Thomas, a former Royal Marines captain stepping forward as Labour's next candidate for Mercer's seat of Plymouth Moor View, said he was "shocked and appalled" by the remarks.

"Knocking on doors across Plymouth and speaking to residents time and time again, I meet serving and retired military personnel along with huge numbers of non-forces folk who are struggling with the deepening cost of living crisis," he said.

"There are difficult and heartbreaking stories to hear, and it was clear they were difficult to tell too."

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Thomas added: "Johnny Mercer may well be able to make budget adjustments on an income of more than £150,000.

"But how can he not know that for so many of our people, no matter how hard they work, and how well they budget, they just don't earn enough to keep up with the spiralling costs and the despair this causes?"

Former soldier Andrew Morris tweeted: "Johnny Mercer used to come across as one of the few likeable Tories, mainly due to his service record.

"But, to claim people are using food banks as a lifestyle choice shows just how out of touch he is. Absolute joke."

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Reacting to Mercer's claim that food bank use isn't a good indicator of UK poverty, Sabine Goodwin, Coordinator of the Independent Food Aid Network told Yahoo News: "Food bank figures represent the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the levels of food insecurity in the UK.

"Most people struggling to afford food won't access food aid support. It's vital that the government starts to effectively address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty which long pre-existed the cost-of-living crisis.

"If we are to reduce hunger then people's social security payments and wages must be increased to match the cost of living."

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A Trussell Trust spokesperson added: "Hunger in the UK, our landmark research published last week, found that the overwhelming majority of people at food banks have been forced to seek help as a last resort having exhausted all other avenues.

"The study also reported that, despite the vast majority (95%) saying they were treated with dignity and respect at food banks, six in ten (60%) people turning to food banks say that they feel embarrassed while receiving support.

"People are forced to turn to food banks because they are experiencing hunger and their income does not cover the cost of the essentials.

"People are being forced to make choices but they are impossible ones, such as whether to heat or eat, and these are decisions that no one should have to make."

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The charity added that last year it distributed nearly three million food parcels, including a million for children, adding that 760,000 people accessed support for the first time.

TV presenter Carol Vorderman also weighed in, claiming Mercer was "wrong" to say food bank use is a "personal decision".

She tweeted: "I grew up in poverty, mum had 5 jobs, nearly killed her. It was NOT a choice.

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"Total cost to taxpayer of Mercer is £373,663. Wife works in his office. Their total taxpayers' salary is approx £120,000."

Responding to the backlash, Mercer posted: "Enjoying the collective bed-wetting on this. Military personnel should not be using food banks - period.

"Disagree if you like, but that is true. If you are serving personnel and you are using a food bank because you are 'starving' please do call me and I will come and see you."