The Trussell Trust has produced a report called The State of Hunger.
It found-
'low benefit rates and sudden drops in benefit income feature very
prominently ...
these drops or gaps in income are frequently designed into the benefit system:
the five week wait for the first UC payment, benefit sanctions, changes to eligibility for health-related benefits, the benefit cap, ‘bedroom tax’ and, last but not least, the rules around how much benefit can be deducted.'
Why have foodbanks arisen?
'few food banks existed in the UK in previous decades,.. Arguably, the kind of benefit-related factors highlighted above did not operate in the same way or to the same extent then. Additionally, we would suggest that in the run up to 2011 many of those facing hardship were helped by Crisis Loans, a ‘safety net below the safety net. In 2013 the scheme was abolished and replaced with discretionary local authority support, with many local authorities in England further cutting the budget, restricting eligibility or closing their schemes altogether.’. Two other reasons were found for use of foodbanks-
● '... at least one ‘challenging life experience’ (such as eviction or divorce) ...or at least one ‘adverse work-related experience’ (such as losing a job or
reduced work hours) in the year prior to using the food bank. Or someone who is ill or disabled, which often entails additional expenses.
● Lack of informal support .. they have either exhausted support from family or friends, have a resource-poor social network or cannot access support due to
social isolation.'
The Trussell Trust is calling for three key changes as a priority to protect people from hunger: As an urgent priority, end the five week wait for Universal Credit,
Benefit payments must cover the true cost of living and Funding for councils to provide local crisis support should be ring-fenced and increased'
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