Soaring Food Poverty to Grow More with Benefit Cuts
- 18 Jun
MP warns that the already high levels of food poverty are likely to increase further after the changes to benefits take effect.
Close to 500,000 people received food aid last year, but this is likely to be even higher next year as more vulnerable people are affected by this years benefit changes
A Labour MP from the Midlands has said that the cuts to benefits have resulted in soaring food poverty, and will force the figures higher as the changes take effect.
Trussell Trust figures show that 350,000 people used their food banks across Britain last year, and the figure for all those receiving food aid from all churches, charities and organisations is estimated around 500,000.
This is triple the number of peopel from the previous year, and 100,000 more than anticipated.
The West Midlands has been hit hard, with 41,000 people in food poverty last year.
Labour MP from the area, Roger Godsiff, says these figures are likely to increase more as the benefit cuts impact more vulnerable people.
He has demanded that the government launch an urgent enquiry in to the causes of food poverty, as research suggests the main cause is benefits:
There is every indication that levels of food poverty show every sign of growing as further changes to the benefits system take effect.
Such developments, I believe, are wholly detrimental to the social fabric of the UK, further marginalising the poor, the unemployed and already socially disadvantaged and are incompatible with the functioning of a modern, compassionate society.
I have called on the government to launch an urgent enquiry into causes of food poverty, particularly in respect of the administrative failure of the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) to deliver benefits effectively and its widespread use of punitive benefit sanctions.
The impact of food poverty has been particularly dramatic in the West Midlands with the Trussell Trust seeing biggest ever increase in the region.
The Trussell Trust's research suggests that 45% of all referrals are as a result of benefits problems which include benefit delays (30%) and benefits changes (15%).
Related articles
- 08 Nov
NHS BOSS SETS OUT A CASE FOR CASH BOOST
The speech by Mr Stevens at the NHS Providers' annual conference of health managers is being made at the time when three reputable health think-thanks- the Health Foundation, the King's Fund and the...
- 09 Jun
THERESA MAY PLEDGES TO REPLACE THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983
According to Ms May, the new bill would introduce the following:According to the Tories, the proposals were described as the biggest change to mental health treatment law in over 30 years.Ms May...
- 30 May
THE PRESENT FIRST PRIME MINISTER OF SCOTLAND IS TO PLEDGE AGAINST ANY PLANS TO PRIVATISE THE NHS
It is also expected that Sturgeon will do the following as proof of her party's commitment to fighting against further austerity:Sturgeon said this before Tuesday's manifesto launch:"While the polls...
- 17 Mar
402 MILLION POUNDS WILL BE INVESTED IN COUNCILS WITH THE GREATEST HOMELESSNESS DEMAND FROM APRIL 2017
Presently, funding is only used for homeless households and not for the prevention of homelessness in the first instance.The funding by the Department for Communities and Local Government is set to...
- 15 Mar
RULES AROUND PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS MAY CHANGE ON THURSDAY
Ministers have advised chief executives of over 30 charities which claimed that people will be left without vital financial support, to restrict access to a disability benefit.The Disability Benefits...
- 06 Mar
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN URGED BY THE BMA TO INCREASE HEALTH SPENDING BY 10 BILLION POUNDS
This increase in health spending to a proportion of GDP that matched that of the 10 leading economies across Europe could pay for at least 35,000 extra beds a day and many more GP's, according to the...
- 05 Sep
MANY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFUGES AT RISK OF CLOSING DUE TO HOUSING BENEFIT CAP
Women who have been victims of domestic violence as well as their children are at risk of falling into the hands of their violent partners if the government caps housing benefit in the social sector...
- 03 Sep
Data on disability benefits refused by DWP
DWP officials have refused a second request for basic information on disability benefits using the “Section 22” exemption they used previously, reports The Independent.The Department had been...
- 02 Sep
UN to investigate how welfare reforms will affect disability rights
A disability charity in Scotland has said it’s been contacted by the UN’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as part of an inquiry into Britain’s treatment of people with...
- 01 Sep
Benefit cuts affecting 48,500 families in Liverpool
Analysis from Liverpool City Council has found that around 48,500 households are likely to lose their benefits due to new government reforms, reports the Liverpool Echo. Councillor Jane Corbett has...
The Welfare Reform Act: Universal Credit, Sheltered and Supported Housing The content was concise and to the point. The content was relevant to our service, and gave us a better us a better indication of were stand with upcoming changes. Rosie Kaur - Panahghar
