Anti-poverty stalwart urges change

Loaves and Fishes champion Denis Curran MBE has called for East Kilbride’s newlyelected councillors to“stand up and be counted” and tackle food banks in town.

The number of food banks in East Kilbride was a hot topic in the run-up to last Thursday’s council elections.

And campaigner Denis wants helping people out of poverty put at the top of the agenda.

“I would ask all councillors to be honest to those they are representing,” he told the News.

“They should admit that food banks are wrong in an educated country where people are being penalised for being poor.

“Food banks are substituting social work departments and the amount of people using food banks is rising.

“It’s time for our next group of councillors to stand up and be counted.

“Let them explain this – if we can change the situation we are on way to being a proper civilised society.

“The people who come to Loaves and Fishes just want a job with living wage.”

Denis also slammed the current employment system – stating that it was hindering rather than helping people who want to provide properly for their family.

He has called for the next crop of political figures, with a General Election scheduled for June 8 following the recent council poll, to show “compassion”.

He continued: “They say the jobless total is dropping but to be honest that total is dropping because people are being sanctioned and they are not included in the jobless total.

“Neither are those on zero-hour contracts.

“People are being declared fit to work yet the majority that appeal win their appeal.

“There are situations which are heartless, cruel and show no compassion for anyone.”

It’s time for our councillors to stand up and be counted . . .