Welfare sanctions make vulnerable reliant on food banks, says YMCA | Society | The Gu

[Legal Beagles]

The YMCA, the UK’s oldest youth charity, has warned the government that its changes to welfare policy are driving vulnerable young people to become reliant on food bank handouts rather than preparing them for jobs. About 5,000 young people were referred by YMCAs to food banks last year, it said in a report, with benefit […]

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[PAWS]

Re: Welfare sanctions make vulnerable reliant on food banks, says YMCA | Society | Th

A few months ago I watched a programme about food banks.(Panorama I think?). Knowing the media’s ability to sensationalise I did a bit of research and had a look at this dreadful situation. I was appalled. The individual stories were scandalous. One new mother had become so malnourished she was not producing enough breast milk to feed her baby. In this century, in this country men, women and children are not just going hungry but are actually suffering from medical conditions caused by malnutrition and a poor diet. In today’s society many of us do not eat a proper balanced diet but this is something else. This is dire poverty.
The UK government spent £10.6 Billion on foreign aid last year. £196 million went to India -a country spending millions on nuclear weapons. Of course everyone is afraid to point that out because the critics will brand you a racist! I’m not even from this country and I know I have been called worse so call me what you will.
Our government keeps on sending money abroad because they can easily blame malnutrition and child poverty on irresponsible budgeting.They can continue to get away with ignoring poverty in their own country because the poor are usually in debt and are told they should be ashamed. 'Live within your means like my 'perfect' parents did' they preach’.
They will continue to ignore poverty in this country and their own citizens BEGGING FOR FOOD because their middle class, sanctimonious electors will ‘pip pip’ them at their Chablis swilling charity events.
All, not some or even most, but all of the adults I have heard about going to food banks were repaying debts at a higher rate than they could afford. Once the lender or debt collector had taken their slice out of the income nothing was left for food. Now to get food from these banks one has to get a referral or chitty from an organisation (can this get more degrading) such as social welfare or CAB. Why the hell can’t they help explain to them that they don’t have to pay the lenders and debt collectors so much that they cannot afford to eat.
As for you Mr. Cameron and Mr. Clegg –Well right now I have named you after a certain little town in Spain that cropped up in our rude place name thread……BECAUSE YOU ARE!

[Kati]

Re: Welfare sanctions make vulnerable reliant on food banks, says YMCA | Society | Th

The Trussell Trust are big organizers of food banks too:

In 2013-14 foodbanks fed 913,138 people nationwide. Of those helped, 330,205 were children.

Rising food and fuel prices, static incomes, underemployment and changes to benefits are some of the reasons why increasing numbers are being referred to foodbanks for emergency food.

The Trussell Trust partners with churches and communities to open new foodbanks nationwide. With over 420 foodbanks currently launched, our goal is for every town to have one.

I think it's disgusting that so many people have to rely on the goodness of others to feed their families

[seduraed]

Re: Welfare sanctions make vulnerable reliant on food banks, says YMCA | Society | Th

Of course the tories want people to go to food banks . they are intent on reversing a century of social reforms and benefits. I expect that at this coming election or the next the real adgenda will come out and they will start calling for the abolishion of the minimum wage. No minimum wage zero hour contract and sanctioned when you refuse to do a days work for less than the bus fare.