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Local people's thoughts on hunger in West Cheshire thanks to @Dee1063

Dee 106.3 reports on growing numbers of people going hungry

RECORD NUMBERS TURN TO FOODBANKS IN NORTH WEST REGION: LIFE HAS GOT WORSE NOT BETTER FOR POOREST IN 2013/14

Over 138,000 adults and children have received three days’ emergency food and support from Trussell Trust foodbanks in North West in the last 12 months, a shocking 238 percent rise on numbers helped in the previous financial year. Despite signs of economic recovery, the poorest have seen incomes squeezed even more than last year reports The Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest foodbank network. More people are being referred to Trussell Trust foodbanks than ever before.

Static incomes, rising living costs, low pay, underemployment and problems with welfare, especially sanctioning, are significant drivers of the increased demand. A nationwide survey of Trussell Trust foodbanks conducted recently found that 83 percent of foodbanks surveyed reported that benefits sanctions, which have become increasingly harsh, have caused more people to be referred to them for emergency food in the last year. Over 50 percent of referrals to Foodbanks in 2013-14 were a result of benefit delays or changes.

The Trussell Trust’s Chairman, Chris Mould, says:

‘That 138,644 people in North West have received three days’ food from a foodbank, over triple the numbers helped last year, is shocking in 21st century Britain. But perhaps most worrying of all this figure is just the tip of the iceberg of UK food poverty, it doesn’t include those helped by other emergency food providers, those living in towns where there is no foodbank, people who are too ashamed to seek help or the large number of people who are only just coping by eating less and buying cheap food.

In the last year we’ve seen things get worse, rather than better, for many people on low-incomes. It’s been extremely tough for a lot of people, with parents not eating properly in order to feed their children and more people than ever experiencing seemingly unfair and harsh benefits sanctions. Unless there is determined policy action to ensure that the benefits of national economic recovery reach people on low-incomes we won’t see life get better for the poorest anytime soon.

A more thoughtful approach to the administration of the benefits regime and sanctions in particular, increasing the minimum wage, introducing the living wage and looking at other measures such as social tariffs for essentials like energy would help to address the problem of UK hunger.’ Whilst there has been a 163 percent increase in foodbank use nationwide, there has only been a 45 percent increase in the number of new Trussell Trust foodbanks opening in the last year. Across the UK the rate of new foodbanks opening has reduced from three a week in 2012/13 to two a week in 2013/14. 11 foodbanks have launched in North West region in the last year.

Nationwide, foodbanks that have been open for three years or more have seen an average increase of 51% in numbers helped in 2013-14 compared to 2012-13, showing that well established foodbanks are experiencing significant uplift in demand. The Trussell Trust’s figures further reinforce evidence from the recent government-commissioned DEFRA report that increased foodbank use is not a question of supply, but of meeting a real and growing need.

Increasingly, Trussell Trust foodbanks are partnering with other agencies to provide additional services such as welfare advice, budgeting help and debt support at the foodbank, helping people to break out of crisis. They are also providing essentials like washing powder, nappies and hygiene products to families who are at breaking point.

Today over 35 Anglican Bishops and over 600 church leaders across denominations will deliver a letter to all three major party leaders calling for urgent action to be taken on UK food poverty. This will be followed by a public vigil led by End Hunger Fast opposite Parliament at Old Palace Yard at 6pm. At the vigil Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi at Movement for Reform Judaism, will for the first time publicly express the cross-communal support of the Jewish community for action against UK food poverty. Academics are also expected to add their voice to the growing groundswell of public concern at the growth of UK hunger.

Chris Mould says: ‘We are encouraged that there is a growing public concern over the problem of UK hunger. Faith leaders, academics, charities and MPs are all standing up to say that hunger is not acceptable in Britain, and that is what gives us hope for change.’

Local Radio report on today's figures released by the Trussell Trust

Pete's Story

"I was laid off in November 2012 from a council contract. I had been looking for work until I had an accident to my right lower leg on 27th June 2013. I received ESA. I had to go into hospital for an operation and this was postponed from the 3rd to the 17th February. Meanwhile my benefit was stopped. I have had the operation but have been told I cannot have any benefit (JSA) until 25th February. In fact I am still needing another operation and am not really fit for work. I have been a driver. I plan to appeal against the refusal of ESA.  I have applied for DLA and was told I would be interviewed at home between 10-15th February. I waited at home but no one came and I was not contacted".

Thanks to Pete for taking the time to share his story with us. We really appreciate it.

Jill's Story

"My partner moved in and I claimed for working tax credits. I was told they would send me out a claim form which would take two weeks but I never received it so I rang them up for them to tell me they had forgotten to send me out a claim pack. I finally received one after 4 weeks and now I have to wait another 5 weeks to get paid. It's the same story with housing benefit: they didn't ask for the right information. I now am struggling to pay the rent."

Thank you so much to Jill for sharing this with us.

Great video from End Hunger Fast

Ainsley's Story

"I didn't get JSA last Tuesday because I was moving into a hostel, therefore I did not get paid and I have no money for food".

Thanks to Ainsley for sharing this while visiting one of our centres.