banks, and that does not take into account the numerous other independent charities, missions and community groups doing similar work. In Glasgow, alone, there are estimated to be around 35 organisations providing food aid.
Defenders of the Government austerity measures argue that people are taking advantage of free food and the growth of such charities has little to do with economic hardship and food insecurity.
It is not a view shared by those forced to witness at first hand the impact of austerity cuts on families and communities.
Increasing numbers of children are turning up at school hungry, in dirty or worn-out clothes, unable to concentrate and often sick as a result of poor living conditions.
A recent report by NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, reported a rise in the number of pupils who had lost their homes due to financial pressures and are now living in temporary accommodation such as B&Bs or hostels.
“These are truly shocking
“Te Government has a responsibility to tackle, not generate, poverty
and homelessness.”
:Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT
statistics that show the lives of children and young people are being blighted and degraded by poverty and homelessness,” said Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT.
“Poverty and homelessness take a physical and emotional toll on children. They often cannot concentrate when they are in school because they are tired and hungry, have no space to do homework and have to travel long distances to get to school from temporary accommodation. They are likely to suffer more ill health and absenteeism.
“The Government has a responsibility to tackle, not generate, poverty and homelessness.”
According to evidence compiled by Citizens Advice Bureaux and the Trussell Trust, UK Government reform of the benefits system and, in particular the sanctions regime for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA), have led to a huge increase in the rise in food bank use. Job seekers have to meet set conditions to show they are actively seeking employment. Any failure to comply, however minor, can result in benefits being stopped.
Their findings have been backed up by research carried out by scientists from Oxford University’s Department of Sociology who found a clear, independent link between sanctions or austerity and the number of emergency food assistance seekers.
For each 1 per cent cut in spending on central welfare benefits there is a 0.16 per cent rise in people needing help from food banks. Similarly, for each
Nicola Surgeon visiting a Food Bank 8 June 2015
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