Tory Welfare Cuts Drive Record Foodbank Use

Universal Credit 'Key Driver' of Increasing Need for Food Parcels
Thousands of food parcels have been handed out to families across the North-East hit by the introduction of Universal Credit by the UK Tory Government.

Figures released from the Trussell Trust said its food banks provided more than 210,000 packages to people in crisis in 2018-19 – up from 23% from the previous year.

Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson slammed the figures caused by the “botched roll-out” of Universal Credit.

In Aberdeenshire, 4,800 of three-day emergency food supplies were provided to people in crisis by food banks.

The food bank provider said that issues with the Tories flagship welfare reform Universal Credit were a “key driver” of increasing food poverty.

In Scotland, 42% of food bank referrals made due to a delay in benefits, were linked to Universal Credit.

In November last year, Mr Stevenson visited the Peterhead Foodbank facility to meet with staff.

DWP ministers recently admitted the direct link between Universal Credit and soaring foodbank use – something which Tory MSPs have consistently denied.

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson MSP, said:

“The botched roll-out of Universal Credit has been a disaster – driving people into poverty and forcing families to rely on food banks.

“In a country as wealthy as ours it’s unacceptable that emergency parcels and food banks have become so commonplace – and we know, beyond any doubt, that Tory policies are to blame.

“The fact that foodbank use is growing across Scotland is a clearly damning indictment of UK Government cuts to welfare, it truly is a case of ‘poverty amongst plenty’.

“When I visited the volunteers at Peterhead it was clear they provide a valuable service for the most vulnerable sectors of our society at their greatest time of need.”