A Nottingham food bank is shutting down in protest against council spending, claiming plans could have seen it used to replace statutory services.
The NG7 Food Bank has fed over 5,200 people since opening two and a half years ago, yet a Facebook message this morning announced the organisation would be closing at the end of 2014. Organisers set up the bank in response to ‘punitive welfare reforms and further draconian immigration policy’, which is claims have hit local vulnerable groups.
Figures from the Trussell Trust earlier this year suggested the number of meals handed out nationally by food banks rose by 54% to 20m in 2013 under a ‘perfect storm’ of benefit reforms and price rises.
NG7 claims Nottingham City Council managers were now expecting local hardship fund applicants to seek support from food banks, family and friends.
‘Regrettably and disappointingly, in meeting with senior NCC managers they have advocated the co-opting of food banks, as part of their strategies in avoidance of using their own funds,’ the food bank organisers said.
‘We have recognised that we are not being used as a temporary service of last resort, but rather being seen as a part of the long-term strategy of replacement for statutory services, who have a duty and the resources to address a large part of the need.’
The food bank said ‘other approaches’ were now required in order to support members of the community.
Cllr Graham Chapman, deputy leader of the city council, said: ‘We are absolutely committed to supporting the most vulnerable people in Nottingham. To help those whose benefits have been cut, we have made all of the £1.8m government funding available for financial support and introduced an Emergency Hardship scheme to help residents pay their fuel, food and household bills.
‘Additionally, we have put £1m into the council tax support programme, established a small loans scheme with Nottingham Credit Union, and invested a further £1m into advice services to help families manage their debts.
‘Food banks are never the first point of call for people who require help but we are recognised across the city, together with a number of faith and community groups, as being an accepted point of referral. We have good relationships with a number of food banks, but have made no direct referrals to NG7 since July 2013 at the specific request of volunteers behind the scheme, who asked they were diverted through other agencies.’
