A Conservative MP sparked a lively debate at a party conference fringe event when he called for community help ahead of government handouts to ease poverty.
Backbencher Robin Millar said state help should be the “last resort” – preferring instead the “dignity of help” from local people and groups.
His views were opposed by fellow panellists from Christians Against Poverty and the Trussell Trust.
The debate took shape at an event called Winter is Coming? How to Tackle Poverty in Tough Times.
Responding to a question about the “balance of the role of community and also of state-led intervention”, Millar said: “We mustn’t remove from society the dignity of help. This is important when we think of the state as being the last resort, if you like.
“What that assumes is that we’re all passive recipients or those who are poorest are in passive receipt of benefit or goodness.
“But state’s role should not steamroller the independent dignity from helping others around us.”
Gareth McNab, director of external affairs for Christians Against Poverty, said putting money in people’s hands could empower them to thrive.>
He said: “I don’t think that erodes society, I don’t think that says there isn’t a role for charities in society.”
McNab added that he did not want his neighbour to feel a sense of responsibility for him.
Emma Revie, chief executive of The Trussell Trust, said state-versus-sector was an important debate.
But she said food parcels were an “inadequate solution” – a “sticking plaster” for the bigger problem of insufficient income.
Revie said: “I think we can be focusing on the stuff we do really well, which is providing community, providing support, and safe places of welcome; but if we are providing mass food aid at the same time that is not fit for purpose to address the problem at hand, that is when we look to the state and see how can the state be better placed to intervene.”