MORE than 10,000 emergency food parcels have been handed out to vulnerable people in Renfrewshire in the last year, writes Jack Thomson.
Renfrewshire Foodbank says it gave out 10,221 three day packages between April 2018 and March 2019 – 2,824 of which went to children.
The figures represent an 18 per cent increase on the previous year, with experts suggesting Universal Credit is a main factor.
Full rollout of the welfare reform took place in Renfrewshire in September and foodbank manager Elizabeth Alexander said the system is leaving people “without enough money to cover the basics”.
READ MORE: Benefit changes are set to spark huge rise in Renfrewshire Foodbank demand
She said: “No one in Renfrewshire 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 – our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty.
“Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.
“Until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.
“We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support.
“Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds.”
Councillor Kevin Montgomery, who represents Paisley Southwest, spoke of the importance of the foodbank to the town.
He said: “The rise in demand for help from the foodbank unfortunately shows how important the service is for local residents.
READ MORE: Charity goes that extra mile for Renfrewshire Foodbank
“The most significant driver is likely to be the full rollout of Universal Credit. The design of Universal Credit is fundamentally flaws with the initial five week waiting period for first payment clearly causing hardship for claimants.
“The Institute for Fiscal studies recently reported 1.9 million people a year will be £1,000 worse off compared to the old system.
“This combined with other factors such as rent affordability in private rented sector and zero hours contracts unfortunately creates the situation where increasing numbers need the help of the foodbank.”
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