Work more hours if you can’t afford food, Therese Coffey suggests

Environment secretary accused of ‘appalling’ comments – as she also suggests turnips were good seasonal replacement during fruit and veg shortage

Tory cabinet minister Therese Coffey has suggested people struggling to afford their soaring food bills could consider working more hours.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell could be heard saying “that’s appalling” as the environment secretary replied to her concerns about food banks in York running out of stock.

Ms Coffey also said the widespread shortage of some fruits and vegetables – which has seen supermarkets introduce rationing – may last as long as another four weeks.