The Leader of Renfrewshire Council has called for the Scottish Government to use its devolved powers to mitigate the effects of the UK Government’s welfare reforms on families as statistics reveal a rise in the number of children in Renfrewshire being fed through foodbanks.
Statistics compiled by the Council show that the number of children receiving foodbank assistance has jumped by almost a quarter from 355 to 437 (23%) in just three months, correlating with a rise in the number of benefit changes and delays to payments experienced in the region.
From July – September 2016 there has been a marked rise in the number of foodbank vouchers distributed with changes and delays to benefits a major factor (40%). The negative impact on families looks set to continue with the ongoing benefits freeze and an expected rise in inflation rates likely to drive up the cost of living, adding pressure to those already struggling on low incomes.
As part of Renfrewshire Council’s Tackling Poverty programme, significant work has been carried out by the Council and its partners to understand the experiences of foodbank clients and where necessary, link them to other support services.
During this work it emerged that traveling to foodbanks was an issue for a number of people. As a result the Council approved a £14,500 grant for Renfrewshire Foodbank to help families and those on low incomes get home on public transport with their food parcels.
Councillor Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, said: “The UK Government’s drastic welfare cuts are creating a perfect storm that is forcing more people and more families into poverty, which is simply unacceptable. I would urge the Scottish Government to use its devolved powers for the benefit of those who need it most and help tackle child poverty across all regions in Scotland to provide much needed support and reassurance to those currently struggling on the breadline.
“It is clear that the UK welfare cuts are hitting the most vulnerable in our society the hardest. The Chancellor’s recent Autumn Statement did little to address concerns by failing to end the freeze on child benefits or reverse planned cuts being introduced to in-work support under Universal Credit.
“Tackling Poverty is a major priority for this Council and we have strived to implement a number of initiatives through investment in our Tackling Poverty Programme to address the inequalities Renfrewshire faces. Hopefully the funds approved under the Renfrewshire Foodbank Transport Grant will help alleviate some of the financial strain experienced by families and others on low incomes in the region.”
Elizabeth Alexander, Project Manager at Renfrewshire Foodbank, said: “”An increasing number of families are finding themselves in situations where they need to use our services. We were finding that many of those who came to the service faced a long walk home as they did not even have the money to get home on public transport with their food bags. The changes in benefits and delays to payments are having a real impact on more children than ever before and we expect this situation only to worsen in the future.”
John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said: “CPAG’s research shows that social security cuts, benefit delays and sanctions are some of the key drivers pushing up demand for food banks. While these problems are largely the result of UK government policy, there is a need for all levels of government to act immediately to protect children and families from the scandal and stress of food poverty. Local and national government must work together to ensure families left without money to put food on the table are getting the social security benefits and the Scottish Welfare Fund support they are entitled – preventing wherever possible any need for a visit to the foodbank.
“The Scottish Government also needs to use its new powers to boost family incomes. One way of doing this would be to use new social security powers to top-up child benefit by £5 a week, which could help thousands of families avoid a visit to the food bank. A £5 a week income boost would also reduce rates of child poverty in Scotland by up to 14%, improving the prospects of thousands of Scotland’s children.”