Poor families 'can't afford food'

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Save the Children said inadequate benefit payments combined with massive price hikes for staple foods like rice and sausages mean some families could not afford decent food.

The warning comes as figures from The Grocer magazine show food prices have risen by nearly a fifth over the past year.

Save the Children's Colette Marshall told the BBC: "We are facing a crisis.

"Benefits simply haven't been enough and with rising food costs it means that families cannot afford to give children proper decent food.

"We think we are heading towards malnutrition happening here in the UK."

The charity is launching a crisis grant scheme next week to help families struggling with food bills.

According to figures from The Grocer magazine supplied to the broadcaster, a typical basket of 33 items of food that cost £48 a year ago now costs £57.50.

Rice has seen prices jump 81% over the past year, pork sausages are up 51%, mince 22% dearer and milk 14% more expensive, the data shows.

Prices have increased recently as the pound has weakened against the euro, driving up the cost of food imports.