MP: Unacceptable more people forced to seek help

Oldham MP Michael Meacher is to meet the boss of the charity which runs foodbanks to discuss the growing plight of Oldham’s have-nots.

The Oldham West and Royton MP said it was “unacceptable” that the number of people forced to ask for help is soaring, largely due to welfare changes.

“Changes in benefits, sanctions, the bedroom tax are all things contributing to people really struggling. This is not just about having not enough cash but being utterly desperate and having a lifeline cut.

“We are the fifth wealthiest economy in the world and it is even more unacceptable that millions of people cannot support themselves.”

Mr Meacher will be speaking to the chief executive of the Trussell Trust, which runs foodbanks, and will then tackle the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith about the “unacceptable situation”.

He added: “With wages having fallen by 9 per cent in real terms since the financial crisis, everything is against people.”