FOOD BANK USE IN SCOTLAND UP ALMOST 80% IN 5 YEARS

“BRUTAL” IMPACT OF TORY AUSTERITY AND WELFARE CUTS LAID BARE

The number of foodbank parcels handed out in Scotland rose by almost 80% in 5 years, according to shocking new statistics provided by the The Trussell Trust

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has highlighted the “brutal” impact of Tory austerity and welfare cuts, with figures showing that in 2018/19, 210,605 people turned to Trussell Trust foodbanks – an increase of over 100,000 in 5 years.

An additional 159, 849 food parcels were given out by independent food banks in Scotland in 2018/19, with the figures following a trend of increased demand since the roll out of the UK Government’s discredited Universal Credit policy.

In stark contrast to Westminster austerity, the SNP The Scottish Government has been working to develop a social security system with dignity and fairness at its heart – introducing a raft of benefits that are providing much needed financial support to low income families including our best start grants and our carers allowance supplement.

The SNP government has also announced plans for a brand new benefit which will provide eligible families with £10 a week for every child under 16 by 2022, with under 6s to get early introduction by Christmas next year.

Patricia Gibson MP said:

“There is no getting away from the fact the Tories’ welfare changes and cuts are to blame for rising poverty and debt, homelessness and the need for foodbanks.

“The grim reality is that the poorest in our society are being forced to choose between feeding their families and heating their homes – something which DWP ministers have finally admitted to, but done nothing to fix.

“Under the Tories, poverty has risen dramatically, yet day after day, Tory government representatives obstinately refuse to acknowledge the turmoil their policies are causing and plough on with brutal cuts regardless.

“This new Tory government must heed the warnings of front-line organisations all over the country, and act before more families and children and are pushed into poverty on their watch.”

ENDS