BISHOP’S WARNING:
Employed rely on charity Bishop backs our appeal
FOODBANKS are now part of everyday life even for working families, a top bishop has warned.
Queues have been forming at depots as people came home from work, said Bishop of Lambeth Tim Thornton.
He also warned of a hunger crisis in which foodbanks were on the verge of becoming institutionalised.
Backing the Mirror’s End Hunger, Feed a Family Christmas appeal, the bishop said: “A lot of people in work are also in poverty.
“Many foodbanks say they have a big queue at 5.30pm, when people are coming home from work.”
He added: “I’d love to give thanks for a foodbank winding up because it’s not needed.”
The South London bishop spoke out after pro-austerity Tory MPs were yesterday branded hypocrites for posing at foodbank collection points.
The Mirror appeal raises cash for Britain’s biggest foodbank operator, the Trussell Trust, which is set to give away 1.5 million meals this month. Bishop Tim added: “Many countries have industrialised foodbanks, institutionalised as part of the way things are. “I’m really worried we are moving in that direction. Are we going to slip into it saying: ‘This is just the way it is’?” He said research pointed to Universal Credit fuelling need, adding: “It’s important we raise awareness, not scaremongering but as a reality check.”
Too many people were blind to the hunger crisis and he said: “It’s shocking. So many either don’t know about it or notice it.” The Department for Work and Pensions said: “No one should have to face hardship with Universal Credit” as up to 100% advances were available “from day one”. It added: “The vast majority of recipients are happy managing their money.”