Responding to today’s Trussell Trust report, which shows that an additional 411 three-days’ food supplies were given out between April and September 2016, Labour’s London Assembly Economy Spokesperson, Fiona Twycross AM, said:
“We cannot be complacent and allow this rise to become a worrying upwards trend. Vulnerable Londoners could take a double hit in the months to come, with rising inflation colliding with the roll out of Universal Credit. When you take into account the capital’s high living costs it’s almost inevitable that many more Londoners will be forced to rely on foodbanks.
“This simply isn’t sustainable. We need real action from Government to tackle low pay and stop the heavy handed use of punitive benefit sanctions, which drive many Londoners into food poverty. We also have to broaden the safety net for vulnerable people, and I’m backing the Trussell Trust’s call for a helpline to local Job Centres to support people in crisis.”
Notes to editors
- A report from Trussell Trust reveals that in London between April and September 2016, Trussell Trust foodbanks gave 49,969 three-days food supplies to people in crisis, compared to 49,558 during the same period in 2015; data was supplied directly to Fiona Twycross AM;
- The Trussell Trust has called on government to establish telephone hotlines between food banks and Job Centres;
- Fiona Twycross AM is a Londonwide Assembly Member
For more information please contact London Assembly Labour Group senior press officer, Alison Orlandi, on 020 7983 4952 or 07825 865 305. Number not for publication.