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NEW FOODBANK FIGURES: UK GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO TACKLE FOOD POVERTY

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has challenged the UK Government to use the autumn Budget to reverse rising levels of poverty in the UK – as the Trussell Trust published new figures showing record foodbank usage in the UK.

The data, published on November 8, shows more than 128,490 emergency food parcels were distributed in Scotland over the past six months (1 April to 30 September) – with 1.5 million provided across the UK.

In South Lanarkshire, across the same time period, the total number of parcels distributed increased from 5,159 last year to 7.095 this year – of which 3,189 were parcels for children, an increase of around 400 on the 12 months previous.

Of the four UK nations, the number of parcels distributed in the Trussell Trust network increased by 23% in Northern Ireland, 16% in England, 15% in Wales, and Scotland had the lowest change of 9%.

The Trussell Trust has said that it is “likely” the implementation of the Scottish Child Payment in 2021, and the extension of eligibility from aged 6 to age 16 and the £5 increase to £25 a week, that was introduced in November 2022, has made an impact in the markedly smaller increase in parcels provided to families and children.

The research also shows that 68% of people referred to Trussell Trust food banks in receipt of Universal Credit in Scotland have money automatically deducted from their payments. Many recipients take out upfront loans from the DWP due to the significant five week wait for their first Universal Credit payment – and this money is then reclaimed by the UK government.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has urged action from the Chancellor ahead of the UK’s Autumn Statement which is expected on November 22.

Commenting, Ms Haughey said:

“The Tory government has pushed millions of families into poverty by imposing deep welfare cuts and damaging policies like Brexit, which have sent the cost of living in the UK soaring.

“The Scottish Government is doing what it can with limited devolved powers to help households, including measures like the council tax freeze, capping private sector rents, and Scottish Child Payment.

“In the research, the Trussell Trust pointed out that many people using foodbanks in Scotland are in debt to the UK Government due to their broken Universal Credit system which claws back money from recipients.

“Its high time the UK government stepped up to the plate and did its bit to support struggling households.

“They can do this by urgently fixing the fundamental flaws with Universal Credit that are driving destitution and foodbank use, introduce a £400 energy bill rebate for all households, and raise benefits in line with inflation.”

ENDS