FOODBANK USE ON THE RISE
PROBLEMS with Universal Credit, benefits and low-paid work are driving an increase in the number of emergency supplies handed out at food banks in Cardiff, new figures reveal.
Cardiff Foodbank said it provided 5,976 three-day emergency food supplies to people in the city between April and September.
The figures are an 11% increase on the same period a year ago. Of the total supplies handed out, 2,247 went to children.
The foodbank – a member of the Trussell Trust’s network – said it has had to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting weeks for a first Universal Credit payment.
Helen Bull, development manager of Cardiff Foodbank, said: “It’s a real concern that in only six months we’ve provided 5,976 emergency supplies to local people.
“These figures don’t even cover our busiest time of year – as the colder weather draws in, we often find more people needing our help.
“It’s not right that anyone in Cardiff is being forced to turn to our foodbank.
“Our volunteers offer vital support when it matters most, but they should not need to.
“We want to see an end to local people needing emergency food – with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials.
“We could reach that future. We’re determined to make sure that until that time comes, emergency help is here for people, but there needs to be some long-term change because we don’t want to be here forever.”
The charity received donations of 45 tonnes worth of food during the six months to September.
The running costs for the foodbank – which relies on the help of 200 committed volunteers every week – are around £100,000 a year, all of which is raised locally.
Across the UK, 658,048 supplies were dished out between April and September, a rise of 13% on the previous year’s figure.
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, which supports 428 food banks across the UK, said: “Our benefits system is supposed to anchor any of us from being swept into poverty, but if Universal Credit is to do that, we need to see urgent changes.
“It’s not right that people are being forced to use food banks after weeks of waiting for Universal Credit payments.
“The changes announced in last week’s Budget are a good start – but they won’t solve all of the problems food banks see, and they won’t help people making new claims this winter.
“We’re seeing soaring levels of need at food banks. If the five-week wait isn’t reduced, the only way to stop even more people being forced to food banks this winter will be to pause all new claims to Universal Credit, until funding is in place to reduce the fiveweek wait.
“Food banks cannot continue to pick up the pieces – we have to make sure our benefits system can protect people from hunger.”
A petition calling on the Government to tackle problems with Universal Credit will be delivered to 10 Downing Street tomorrow.