William Eichler 17 October 2022

Foodbank workers call on PM to increase benefits

Foodbank workers call on PM to increase benefits  image
Image: Halfpoint/Shutterstock.com.

Thousands of food bank workers have signed a letter calling on the Prime Minister to increase benefits and to end the reliance on foodbanks.

The letter, written by Trussell Trust, Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) and Feeding Britain, warns that the ‘relentless rises’ in energy, food, and travel costs is forcing people to skip meals and rely on foodbanks.

Signed by over 3,000 volunteers and staff, the letter points out that many people have been struggling to afford the basics over the last 10 years, particularly after last year’s £20 cut to Universal Credit.

‘Over the last decade, increasing numbers of people have been pushed to the doors of food banks and other charitable food aid providers because they haven’t got enough money to buy food and other essentials. Since the cut to Universal Credit in October 2021 and the deepening cost of living crisis, the need for charitable food aid has steadily increased, reaching unprecedented levels,’ the letter said.

‘People who were already unable to afford food are being hit the hardest by relentless rises in energy, food, and travel costs. Every day we meet people who are skipping meals so they can feed their children and turning off their cooker or fridge so they can cover other essential costs. People who used to donate to food banks are now needing to seek our support. And the next 12 months look bleaker still.’

The charities will deliver the letter to the Prime Minister today.

Sabine Goodwin, coordinator, Independent Food Aid Network commented: ‘Charitable food aid providers across the UK are united in seeking to reduce the need for their services. Depending on overwhelmed food aid charities to fill an ever-increasing gap is no longer an option. The Government must address the poverty driving our deepening food insecurity crisis and first and foremost immediately uprate benefit payments in line with inflation.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner