Universal Credit Recipients Food Banks 2023-04-24
2023-04-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Food banks across the UK are experiencing increased demand, with over 40% of users being in work and one in six children reliant on them due to universal credit delays. Local housing allowance is frozen.
Families receiving universal credit face significant challenges leading to food bank usage, exacerbated by a five-week wait for benefits and rising costs. The questioner cites an incident where a local food bank nearly closed due to lack of supplies. What additional support will the Government provide?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not assess reasons why families use food banks but acknowledges cost of living pressures. Additional support includes the Household Support Fund providing £50 million, increased benefits by 10.1%, and £301 cost of living payments starting soon. The Help for Households website offers information on assistance with energy costs, childcare, travel expenses, and income support.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address the specific ask about further measures to assist families struggling with food insecurity
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner challenges the lack of assessment by the DWP on why families use food banks, citing multiple factors including a £20 weekly cut in universal credit, deductions from payments, lower real earnings, tax increases, and economic instability.
The Government has not assessed reasons for which people are using food banks. Could the Minister inquire into whether usage is due to reductions in universal credit, regular deductions from payments, lower real earnings since 2007, increased taxes on workers, economic downturns affecting mortgages and rents?
The Minister reminded of previous Labour policies like the 10p tax rate. She noted that food banks are charitable organisations supporting local communities and reiterated that new statistics on food security will help understand needs better, despite interruptions.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific ask about investigating factors for food bank usage
Chuntering From The Front Bench
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The questioner challenges the Minister on food bank usage reasons, questioning Government cuts to universal credit, real earnings decline since 2007, increased taxes on workers, and broader economic issues.
Could the Minister ask her officials whether people use food banks due to £20 weekly cuts in universal credit, deductions from payments, lower real earnings than in 2007, higher taxes on working people, economic crashes raising mortgages and rents? Is it because of 13 years of economic failure?
The Minister reminded Jon Ashworth about doubled tax-free allowances, commended charitable organisations supporting communities, and mentioned adding internationally used food security questions to Family Resources Survey. However, she did not directly respond to the specific ask.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific ask about investigating factors affecting food bank usage
Chuntering From The Front Bench
Response accuracy