Food banks see 'shocking' rise in number of users - 913 000 food parcels - 51% rise
A food bank charity says it has handed out 913,000 food parcels in the last year, up from 347,000 the year before.
The Trussell Trust said a third were given to repeat visitors but that there was a "shocking" 51% rise in clients to established food banks. It said benefit payment delays were the main cause.
However, the Trussell Trust, the largest food bank provider in the UK, said benefits payments had been a particular problem since welfare changes were introduced just over a year ago.
Some 83% of food banks reported that benefits sanctions - when payments are temporarily stopped - had resulted in more people being referred for emergency food.
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And more than 30% of visits were put down to a delay in welfare payments.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27032642
A terrible state of affairs.
It's quite scary to think what would happen to the country now if this facility was removed.
The Trussell Trust said a third were given to repeat visitors but that there was a "shocking" 51% rise in clients to established food banks. It said benefit payment delays were the main cause.
However, the Trussell Trust, the largest food bank provider in the UK, said benefits payments had been a particular problem since welfare changes were introduced just over a year ago.
Some 83% of food banks reported that benefits sanctions - when payments are temporarily stopped - had resulted in more people being referred for emergency food.
Continue reading the main story
And more than 30% of visits were put down to a delay in welfare payments.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27032642
A terrible state of affairs.
It's quite scary to think what would happen to the country now if this facility was removed.
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Comments
They don't mind charity as it is the rich deciding who they want to give to, rather than other people using their tax money to give to causes they don't agree with.
You always appear to 'know someone' to prove your point, depending on the thread subject.
Speaking of people we know, how's your friend Neil. I've not seen you posting supporting second posts in his threads for a while.
Well there would be a 100% fall in clients to food banks - so surely that would be brilliant news?
I doubt it.
Thee have been reports in all papers on how the system is abused, which is hardly surprising as all free systems are abused.
There have been documentaries on television where people have admitted it. Funny how a lot of those claiming the free food have things like a car, gold jewellery and the latest expensive televisions etc.
Face it there are a lot of greedy people who take advantage of the free food and the people who suffer as a result are the real needy.
On a different point I see today our local supermarket has put in a permanent collection point for food bank donations
I like what you did there.
I know this because I have seen them.
I think its about time the BBC repeat the one they did about a year ago.
Of the four people followed three were chancers at best and one was an out and out fraudster who was exposed on film. This was despite the food bank manager going to great length explaining how hard done by the chap was. When the food manager was presented with the true facts he was speechless at how thoroughly he had been taken in
you open up a place and give away free food and your surprised that people turn up
the lefty liberal do gooders really do need to up their game
So how do you know which people down your street are on benefits, which of them support Labour, what they spend their money on, which of the people on your street use food banks and/or their financial details ?
Are you a snooper ?
I've lived here over 40 years and I couldn't give anyone any of that information.
Perhaps people in his neighbourhood talk to each other, unlike in yours it would seem
This backs up what the CAB and others have said. I have said on numerous occasions that imo the reasons for the increase in need for food banks are varied. Sadly the people who use them have been used as political footballs by both coalition and opposition politicians and supporters. This needs to stop and then maybe we can start to do something to solve, or at least alleviate, what is a very serious issue starting with the over-zealous sanctions regime and the long delays that many face waiting for their benefits to be paid.
The joys of speaking to your neighbours in the street, and down at the local pub. I suppose it is easier being in a cul de sac.
Do you not talk to your neighbours in the street. or do you just send a Xmas card once a year and keep to that?
If your neighbours have been sanctioned and therefore not in receipt of any benefit how do they afford booze and cigarettes?
I'd love to know how the conversations go
Does he ask the people down his street straight out how much money they have, what they are spending their money on , which party they support and whether they are going to the food bank and if so why
BTW people around here do talk to each other they just don't pry into each others business ;-)
Doesn't work like that.
From what I have seen, the alcohol is found in the street and the cigarettes from the ground which are then made into longer cigarettes from the leavings.
I see you are looking for tips on how to interrogate your neighbours now .........
I have no idea what conversations you have with your neighbours (and don't want to) but all the points you mention can come up naturally in a conversation.
Would you why? It will just be normal day to day ones in the street, see how they are, any news, how their families are etc. You should try it.
The pub, now that's the place you find out about everyones political leanings, who's doing who, who's up to mischief.
Do you visit your local much? If so, what do you talk about in there to everyone?