Foodbanks hand out over 58,000 parcels in a year
FOODBANKS handed out more than 58,000 emergency parcels to desperate families across Greater Manchester over the past year.
The Trussell Trust has released its annual figures which show their network provided more than 1.1m three-day food supplies in the country overall between April 2016 and March this year.
The number has risen by more than 70,000 compared with the previous 12 months.
In Greater Manchester, families were given 58,792 emergency food parcels.
Trust bosses say the rollout of the new Universal Credit benefit system is increasing the number of foodbank referrals.
Authors reported a 16.85 per cent increase in foodbank referrals in areas where Universal Credit has been fully rolled out.
It states that the initial six week wait for the first payment can lead to foodbank referrals, debt, mental health issues, rent arrears and eviction.
Those in insecure or seasonal work are said to be at most risk, as well as those struggling to navigate the online system, the trust say.
The Department for Work and Pensions said that Universal Credit ‘helps give people control over their finances’ and the reasons people using foodbanks are ‘complex’ and it is ‘misleading to link them to any one issue’.
But the Trussell Trust are calling for a reduction of the six-week waiting period for Universal Credit and more flexibility in the administration of the benefit, to support those moving onto the new system.
Chief executive David McAuley said the charity shared the report with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure any ‘side effects’ caused by Universal Credit are addressed.
He added: “We hope our insights can inform efforts to make sure the values on which Universal Credit is built are delivered in practice.
“To stop UK hunger we must make sure the welfare system really does work for everyone.”
Across the North West Trussell Trust foodbanks supplied 174,489 three day emergency food supplies to people in crisis, with 66,664 going to children.
This has risen since the previous year, when 160,048 parcels were handed out.
Benefit delays and changes remain the biggest cause of referral to a foodbank in the north west, accounting for 47 per cent of all referrals.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “The reasons for foodbank use are complex, so it’s misleading to link them to any one issue.
“Under Universal Credit people are moving into work faster and staying in work longer than under the old system. Universal Credit is designed to mirror the world of work and give people control over their own finances.
“The majority of UC claimants are confident in managing their money and we work closely with local authorities to support those who need extra help. Budgeting support, benefit advances, and direct rent payments to landlords are available to those who need them.”
To make a donation to The Trussell Trust or find out how to help your local foodbank visit www.trusselltrust.org