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Huge rise in use of food banks since welfare changes, says aid body Huge rise in use of food banks since welfare changes, says aid body
(about 1 hour later)
There has been a 200% increase in the number of people being fed by charity food banks during the first three months of the government's welfare changes, according to the UK's biggest voluntary food aid network. The number of people being fed by charity food banks during the three months since the government's welfare changes took effect has risen by 200%, according to the UK's biggest voluntary food aid network.
The Trussell Trust said the increase in the proportion of people referred for food parcels as a result of benefit problems was 'clearly linked' to social security changes introduced in April. The Trussell Trust said the increase in the proportion of people referred for food parcels as a result of benefit problems was clearly linked to social security changes introduced in April.
More than half of the 150,000 people receiving emergency food aid from Trussell food banks between April and June were referred because of benefit delays, sanctions, and financial difficulties relating to the bedroom tax and council tax relief abolition, it said.More than half of the 150,000 people receiving emergency food aid from Trussell food banks between April and June were referred because of benefit delays, sanctions, and financial difficulties relating to the bedroom tax and council tax relief abolition, it said.
Trussell's first-quarter findings challenge the government's insistence that there is no link between welfare changes and the rapid increase in food bank use. Trussell's first-quarter findings challenge the government's insistence that there is no link between welfare changes and the rapid increase in food bank use.
"The reality is that there is a clear link between benefit delays or changes and people turning to food banks, and that the situation has got worse in the last three months", said the Trussell Trust executive chairman, Chris Mould."The reality is that there is a clear link between benefit delays or changes and people turning to food banks, and that the situation has got worse in the last three months", said the Trussell Trust executive chairman, Chris Mould.
Mould said food banks were helping more people who had had their benefit suspended "for seemingly illogical reasons" or who could not afford to pay the bedroom tax but were unable to move to a smaller home.Mould said food banks were helping more people who had had their benefit suspended "for seemingly illogical reasons" or who could not afford to pay the bedroom tax but were unable to move to a smaller home.
Nearly one in five (19%) of all referrals to Trussell food banks in the three months to June related to benefit changes – up from 12% during the same period in 2012, the trust said. Benefit delays accounted for 33% of referrals, up from 31%.Nearly one in five (19%) of all referrals to Trussell food banks in the three months to June related to benefit changes – up from 12% during the same period in 2012, the trust said. Benefit delays accounted for 33% of referrals, up from 31%.
The work and pensions minister, Lord Freud, earlier this month insisted there was no evidence of a link between rising food bank use and the government's welfare changes, a claim subsequently challenged by food banks and poverty campaigners, including the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.The work and pensions minister, Lord Freud, earlier this month insisted there was no evidence of a link between rising food bank use and the government's welfare changes, a claim subsequently challenged by food banks and poverty campaigners, including the archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
Mould said: "We are calling on the government to listen to what's happening on the ground, to realise that when the welfare system breaks down, it means families go hungry. Many of these issues are avoidable but they must be addressed urgently, before universal credit is rolled out in October".Mould said: "We are calling on the government to listen to what's happening on the ground, to realise that when the welfare system breaks down, it means families go hungry. Many of these issues are avoidable but they must be addressed urgently, before universal credit is rolled out in October".
Some food banks have claimed they are in danger of being overwhelmed by demand for food parcels caused by an explosion in the numbers of benefit claimants referred to them by jobcentres.Some food banks have claimed they are in danger of being overwhelmed by demand for food parcels caused by an explosion in the numbers of benefit claimants referred to them by jobcentres.
One London food bank said it had been forced to write to its local job centre to protest that it was struggling to collect enough food to cope with a rise in demand since April triggered by welfare changes . The Pecan food bank in Peckham, south London said jobcentres were failing to offer short-term cash advances to penniless claimants to tide them over until their benefits were paid, instead directing them to the food bank. Charities also warned recently that the latest changes announced in the spending review by the chancellor, George Osborne – including the seven-day delay before jobless people can sign on – will only intensify demand.
One London food bank said it had been forced to write to its local jobcentre to protest that it was struggling to collect enough food to cope with a rise in demand since April triggered by welfare changes . The Pecan food bank in Peckham, south London said jobcentres were failing to offer short-term cash advances to penniless claimants to tide them over until their benefits were paid, instead directing them to the food bank.
The executive director of Pecan, Chris Price, said he was concerned jobcentres were unfairly offloading responsibility for the welfare of vulnerable claimants on to charities: "We are not part of the welfare system. But we have the fear of becoming part of the welfare system."The executive director of Pecan, Chris Price, said he was concerned jobcentres were unfairly offloading responsibility for the welfare of vulnerable claimants on to charities: "We are not part of the welfare system. But we have the fear of becoming part of the welfare system."
Anne Begg MP said the Commons work and pensions committee, which she chairs, would investigate the links between welfare changes and food bank use as part of a wider investigation into the consequences of benefit delays and use of sanctioning by Job Centre Plus. Anne Begg MP said the Commons work and pensions committee, which she chairs, would investigate the links between welfare changes and food bank use as part of a wider investigation into the consequences of benefit delays and use of sanctioning by Jobcentre Plus.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said it was reducing delays in benefit payments – 90% were processed within 16 days – and that sanctions were only used against claimants as a last resort.A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said it was reducing delays in benefit payments – 90% were processed within 16 days – and that sanctions were only used against claimants as a last resort.
She said: "We are doing all we can to support vulnerable people" She said: "We are doing all we can to support vulnerable people."
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