Food Poverty - We are sleep walking back to Dickensian times says Roger
Posted by Roger Godsiff, MP for Birmingham, Hall Green, at 15:15, Wed 12 June 2013:
Early day motion 223
FOOD BANKS AND FOOD POVERTY
Session: 2013-14 Date tabled: 11.06.2013 Primary sponsor: Godsiff, Roger Sponsors: Durkan, Mark
That this House views with the gravest concern the recent report by the Trussell Trust, the biggest provider of food banks in the UK, that more than 350,000 people turned to their food banks for help in 2012-13, almost triple the number who received food aid in the previous year and 100,000 more than anticipated; believes that estimates put the true figure of those receiving food aid in 2012 at nearer 500,000 when other independent food banks, churches, charities and community groups are taken into account; understands that to meet the sustained demand for emergency food supplies, the Trust itself launched almost 150 new food banks in the last year and is currently approving three new food banks a week; notes that the Trust's own research suggests that, nationally, 45 per cent of all referrals are as a result of benefits problems which include benefit delay (30 per cent) and benefit changes (15 per cent); further notes that a significant causal factor is most likely to be the rising tide of the draconian regime of benefit sanctions leading to destitution, hardship and hunger on a large scale; further believes that this level of food poverty, which shows every sign of growing as further changes to the benefits system take effect, is wholly detrimental to the social fabric of the UK, further marginalising, as it does, the poor, the unemployed and already socially disadvantaged and is incompatible with the functioning of a modern, compassionate society; and calls on both the Government and the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee to conduct an urgent inquiry into the relationship between benefit delay, error or sanctions, welfare reform changes and the growth of food poverty.
Comments
If you are subscribed to HearFromYourMP in this constituency,
log in to post a reply.
Otherwise, if you live in the UK,
sign up in order to
HearFromYourMP.
Posted by Ian Soady, 15:30, Wed 12 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
Well done Roger.
Posted by Mohammed Hemraj, 16:05, Wed 12 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
The problem is that some section of people believe in getting free things and if this means increase in benefit then why not have more children. All the British citizens should join hands in making contribution to this country and if this is done then we will not need foreigners to come and work here. Some pensioners do not need a benefit at all, they are rich. I fail to understand why some super rich people are getting free NHS treatment.
This nation needs to produce goods and services which this country demands. If this step is taken then the import will decline and we will not have a balance of trade problem. The government needs to encourage farming and production of manufactured good and services to meet the local demand. Why do we have to import meat which turns out to he horse meat? The cattle and dairy farmers are getting enough subsidy from the government and why milk and bread is so expensive? Can't we produce enough wheat?
This country can do a lot for the masses if there is a political will. There is a simple solution to make corporations pay compulsory taxes based on where income is generated.
Posted by Farook Ahmed, 16:45, Wed 12 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
Why has it taken so long to realise that the laws that you make for the poor and uneployed are useless. What do we vote for, a bunch of pompus Idiots sit around at big social dinners and banquits at cost the us the taxpayers More money.
Posted by Paul Holloway, 20:14, Wed 12 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
Nice one, Roger.
Incidentally, some things should be 'free' for everyone - the NHS is a great example. If you tax everyone properly, then there is nothing wrong with 'super rich' people getting free treatment on the NHS.
Posted by Mohammed Hemraj, 08:20, Thu 13 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
The problem is not with regard to a proper tax system, in fact it is high because not everyone wants to pay their taxes and the biggest culprits are corporations and the rich who live in safe heaven countries after they have made their money in the UK.
Posted by Colin, 11:16, Fri 14 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
Galling to hear Labour politicians complaining about the poverty which they caused. Labour borrowed and squandered more money than all the previous British Governments in history, combined.
Posted by Mohammed Hemraj, 11:59, Sat 15 June 2013: (Is this post abusive?) #
I have been listening to Parliamentary debates and I am sick and tired of the present government blaming labour all the time when questioned about their policies. Well, they are in power and have a manadate to do something. Can we please put a stop to a blaming game and do something about improving the economic situation of Britain?