recent data from the independent food aid network showed that one in five organisations were actuallythey couldn't access sufficient food, or surplus food, to be able to make up the usual parcels they had been distributing. food donations, financial donations have dropped, and food banks are having to dip into their financial reserves in order to try to cope. so the situation is really unsustainable, and we need to see a solution that increases people's incomes and reduces the need for charitable food aid very, very urgently indeed. thank you, sabine. well, we've had lots of questions from you and we'll be putting them through to our panellists. so, one here for you, kevin, from mr s palgrave, who says... "i'm 59 years old, i live alone in norwich. have you any idea when i'll receive that second cost—of—living payment, as i'm on benefits, unemployment support allowance? i'm sure many people would also like to know, as money is very tight," he says. yeah, 8 million people will probably want to know because they are the ones who are eligible for this particular cost—of—living payment. i

sabine goodwin is coordinator at the independent food aid network — which provides help to those at the end of the cost of living crisis. and mercedes osborne is a mortgage expert at pointers financial — based in exeter. welcome based in exeter. to all of you. also with us this week is our climate editorjustin rowlatt, who is out and about giving tips to householders on simple measures that may help reduce their energy use. we will beat with justin we will beat withjustin a bit later. we have a whole range of topics lined up. first, kevin peacheyis topics lined up. first, kevin peachey is has analysis on working age benefits and whether they should be linked to inflation, that is prices, ratherthan be linked to inflation, that is prices, rather than wages. working age benefits cost the government £87.4 billion last year. now, to put that into context, the defence budget is about half of that at 42 billion, while health and careful england is more than double at 192 billion. the benefits budget covers a range of payments, including housing benefit, personal independence payment, and empl