Member Article

Benefits payment system leading to food banks queues

Delays in the benefits payments system are causing a rise in the number of people seeking emergency support from food banks in North Northumberland.

The issue was recently revealed to Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Berwick, on a visit to food banks in North Northumberland where she saw for herself the effects on those in food poverty.

Anne-Marie said: “All users of food banks in Northumberland have been referred by social services, Citizens Advice Bureaus or other groups like Sure Start. The reasons given are often delays in benefits being paid or other financial pressures leaving families with no money to buy food.”

The rapid rise in the number of food banks began in 2005/6 when there were 3,000 nationally. This rose to more than 40,000 by the end of 2009/10. In addition to this the Trussell Trust has been expanding, inevitably leading to more hard pressed families making use of their services.

Anne-Marie continued: “I am concerned by the recurring message from the volunteers who run our local food banks, that the majority of those who come to them do so because the benefits payment system is not working. It should be there to support those who need a safety net whilst they find work or arrange long term support. There seems to be a serious breakdown in the effective management of the payments system. I am going to be talking in more detail with our job centre teams to try to find out what they need to solve this issue effectively.”

If you wish to donate goods or funds to support one of Northumberland’s local food banks, please do contact Anne-Marie on anne-marie@dualthea1.com and she can put you in touch with the one nearest you.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Admiral PR .