The following motion will be debated at the Brent Council meeting on Monday:
This
Council welcomes the findings and recommendations of the recent Resource and
Public Realm Scrutiny Committee task group report into the use of food banks in
Brent.
Given the
scale of the problem of destitution and food poverty and likelihood that need
will increase with the further roll out of Universal Credit this year, this
Council recognises the need for local public, voluntary and private
organisations to collaborate on the production of a proactive strategy to bring
forward targeted interventions to prevent and address hunger and chronic
poverty in the borough.
This
Council notes the following findings of the task group:
· Food banks are playing, and will
continue to play, an increasingly significant role in society. The corrosion of
the welfare state has meant that food banks have had no choice but to step up
to fill in the gap.
· 1.2 million food aid packages were
given out by Trussell Trust food banks during the last financial year and this
was the ninth consecutive year in which demand has risen.
· In Brent alone last year an
estimated 5,636 people accessed food banks
· Major drivers behind food bank usage
locally are benefit delays and sanctions, the current waiting period before
benefits are paid, inaccessibility of services and low wages.
· Official figures do not capture the
true extent of the problem across the borough; with many residents seeking
assistance from religious organisations providing informal meals and food
assistance.
· Locally, the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) moved new single claimants over to Universal Credit(UC) in2015 and
have now advised full rollout of UC across
Brent will happen in late 2018. It is likely that implementation of full UC
will place further demands on local food banks and information / advice
services.
· The use of food banks includes both
people in and out of work.
· Statements from government ministers
dismissing food bank use as a lifestyle choice of those who are unable to
budget properly has influenced incorrect beliefs about food bank users. This
has contributed to stigma, shame, and embarrassment for the people who need to
use them.
Brent Council recognises the
invaluable work undertaken by food bank staff, volunteers and donors. This
Council formally extends its gratitude to all involved.
Councillor Roaxnne Mashari Welsh Harp Ward
