THE ‘disastrous’ rollout of the Universal Credit scheme has been blamed for Barnsley’s foodbanks receiving more requests for help than ever this winter.
Universal Credit, which was intended to simplify what was thought to be a complicated benefits system, includes a range of different payments made to those who qualify but it has been the subject of criticism after first-time claimants were made to wait five weeks before receiving a payment.
Barnsley Foodbank Partnership, supported by The Trussell Trust, opened in 2013 and operates from multiple locations including Goldthorpe; Wombwell; Athersley; Darfield; Penistone; Hoyland; Royston; Worsbrough Common and Barnsley town centre six days a week. Latest figures reveal 4,256 people received a three-day emergency food package in 2018, while 317 Barnsley residents were given vital supplies in December alone.
That represents an increase on the previous December, although its distribution hubs were closed from Christmas Eve to January 2, and visits have continued to spiral last month.
Manager Suzanne Storey said: “Winter always results in extra food parcels being required. For example, in December, we were closed for eight or nine days but still had 317 referrals that’s more than 40 more than June 2018.
“Universal Credit does have an impact as there’s still a lot of confusion over it and we’ve heard about delays in payment, hence why people turn to us for help.
“Barnsley residents are extremely generous and I appeal to them to continue to donate much-needed food to those who really do need it.”
According to The Trussell Trust, Universal Credit is not the only benefit people at foodbanks are experiencing problems with, but the new system is increasingly driving referrals due to benefit delays, which include waiting for a first payment or having problems with a new claim.
Emma Revie, chief executive, added: “We created systems like our national health service, fire service and benefits system because we’re a country that believes in protecting each other.
“Our benefits system is supposed to anchor any of us from being swept into poverty, but if Universal Credit is to do that, we need to see urgent changes.
“It’s not right that people are being forced to use foodbanks after weeks of waiting for Universal Credit payments.
“Foodbanks cannot continue to pick up the pieces - we have to make sure our benefits system can protect people from hunger.”
Barnsley East MP Stephanie Peacock told the Chronicle the continued dependency on foodbanks was a ‘national disgrace’.
“Demand for emergency food parcels has grown every year under this Tory government, and once again the finger is pointed at their flagship Universal Credit policy as the cause of this increase in Barnsley,” she added.
“Growing dependency on foodbanks should shame us all, and this government need to act urgently to fix their disastrous policies that are causing increasing hardship for people struggling here in Barnsley.”
