Oldham MP - Foodbank situation could get much worse

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon has spoken out after the Trussell Trust warned that food bank usage in areas where Universal Credit has been in place for a year or more has surged by 52% in the 12 months to the end of March, compared to a 13% broader increase in the use of its food banks nationwide.

The Trust, a network covering two-thirds of the UK’s food banks, said that 28% of their users found benefits were not covering the cost of essentials, 24% needed help due to delays in receiving benefits, and 18% due to changes in their benefits.

The Independent Food Aid Network, which represents a third of food banks not covered by the Trust, said that its food banks were increasingly serving people who were in work, but still unable to afford the basics, including those on zero-hours contracts, and “public sector staff who just can’t pay all their bills.”

Mr McMahon said: “The Trussell Trust findings are yet more evidence that the Government’s flagship Universal Credit programme has hit the rocks, placing people on low incomes in a desperate situation.

"Coupled with draconian reforms to the benefit system, it is forcing desperate families to Foodbanks just so they can try to make ends meet and feed their children.

“I see this evidence first hand in Oldham, where volunteers at the local Foodbank do a tremendous job but are swamped by demand for their service.

"It is a clearer sign as any that the Government has reduced our benefits system to being not fit for purpose.

“My plea to this Government is to halt the roll out of Universal Credit until an independent body made up of charities and public agencies agree it is fit for purpose.

"Until that happens, I fear we are going to see this situation get much worse.”

Between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, 7,435 three day emergency food supplies were provided to local people in crisis by Oldham Foodbank, compared to 5,867 in the previous year.

Of this number, 2,547 went to children.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams made her feelings known after digesting the findings of the Trussell Trust report.

She said: "The Tories should be ashamed about the findings in this report and how many people are reliant on foodbanks on their watch.

“Universal Credit is broken and thousands of people are kept waiting weeks for their first payment, being pushed into debt and arrears impacting on their health and well being.

“As I have said many times at the dispatch box in Parliament the Government must stop the roll out of Universal Credit as a matter of urgency.”

Referring to Oldham Foodbank’s latest statistics, Mrs Abrahams added: “It’s shocking to hear that the number of emergency food supplies needed in Oldham has risen by 27% over the last year and that over 2,500 children needed support.

“But thank goodness we have such a dedicated and hardworking team, at our local foodbank.

"I would like to say thank you to them all and let them know how much we value their contribution to our local communities.

“We shouldn’t need foodbanks at all. It’s as a direct result of this Government’s social security and employment policies that there’s such a need for a foodbank in Oldham.” 

The foodbank believes the the main reason for local increase is due to people struggling with issues with Universal Credit in the area and insecure work.

Oldham Foodbank shares the concerns of other foodbanks in full Universal Credit rollout areas, highlighted today by The Trussell Trust.

The foodbank has provided emergency food and support to people needing help due to the adverse impact of the initial wait, the lack of available statutory support, the inability of Universal Credit payments to cover the cost of living, and poor central administration.

As part of a national network campaigning for change, the foodbank is working hard to offer practical emergency support to help prevent people affected going hungry, while simultaneously participating in vital research and raising awareness about the issues local people are facing.

Oldham Foodbank Andrew Barr said: “We don’t want to be here forever.

"No-one in Oldham should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.

"It doesn’t have to be this way - 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, this is possible.

"But until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most - we’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support, and that has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time (we are 100% volunteer run) and funds. Thank you.”

The running costs for the foodbank are around £3,000 a year, all of which is raised locally to enable them to continue their work.

Costs include warehouse service charges, to sort and stock donated food, a van to pick up donated food, and other overheads like utilities and insurances.

The foodbank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the foodbank’s work can find out more at www.oldham.foodbank.org.uk