Welfare reform
One of the key drivers of food bank use are delays, changes and problems with welfare and benefits. We are working to identify and pilot constructive solutions to address those issues within the welfare system that risk pushing people into food crisis.
Through our local pilots we work with organisations on the frontline of supporting people at risk of hunger. We are committed to listening to them, and to the people they work with, to understand the key issues that need to be addressed. Based on this we are:
- Identifying specific issues with the welfare system that are causing people to experience food crises, building evidence to show the impact, and putting forward concrete policy changes that would help to address the issue
- Developing a prototype for information on people’s rights and the emergency support available, as part of an amended Claimant Commitment
- Identifying opportunities for anti-hunger projects to be supported through statutory funding
“The feelings in the support sector is of great apprehension … The pressure on Foodbanks will shoot up and we are preparing for a bleak Christmas for those that are going to be affected in December if the feedback is correct…A very worrying time” (Food bank manager, Cornwall)”
Feeding Britain’s reports
Tightening the screw – The underlying trends in benefits & household budgets since 2015, April 2020
The ‘Other Britain’ and the failure of the welfare state
Universal Credit & the shrinking household budget, October 2018
Feeding Britain’s evidence to policy inquiries
Work and Pensions Select Committee consultation on sanctions, May 2018
Universal Credit Report to Work and Pensions Committee, October 2017
Questions asked by Feeding Britain’s trustees on behalf of the hungry
Baroness Boycott (CB) 02 June 2020
Baroness Boycott (CB) 13 May 2020
Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab) 05 December 2017