Foodbank’s fears over benefit changes
Volunteers fear controversial cuts to disability benefits will make more people reliant on foodbanks. The government is proposing a major shake-up to the welfare system which will it harder for many people to claim personal independence payments (PIP) or universal credit for health conditions.
Labour ministers say the ‘pro-work’ overhaul, which is expected to save £5 billion a year by 2030, will encourage claimants to take up employment, but critics say the changes will push hundreds of thousands into poverty. Volunteers at Newcastle Foodbank are worried this will mean more people will need their emergency food packages.
They are urging people affected by the cuts to write to their MP ahead of a House of Commons vote on the reform package in June. Local organiser Ann King hopes that hearing the personal stories of claimants will persuade MPs to vote against the reforms.
She said: “We feel that these changes to the social security system are going to push more people to foodbanks. Foodbanks were originally only meant to be there to support people in emergencies – if they’ve had to give up work to become a full-time carer, or they’ve had a bereavement – but now we’re supporting people who just don’t have enough money to live on.
“One of the things we do here is work with people to maximise their income, and that can involve showing them how they can claim PIPs. But if they’re going to make it harder for people to claim those benefits, they will have to rely on the foodbank. And it may be that taking away someone’s PIP will make it harder for them stay in employment. It just seems like a very short-sighted thing to do.
“So we want to try and mobilise local opposition to the changes. We’re encouraging people to write to their MP to share their stories, saying how they will be affected by the cuts.”
Ms King says Newcastle Foodbank is already facing ‘exceptionally high’ demand, supply food parcels to 5,702 adults and 3,018 children in 2024/25, with disabled people ‘overrepresented’ among those who use the charity.
She added: “We are extremely concerned about the devastating impact these cuts could have for disabled people living in Newcastle-under-Lyme. People we support are already telling us they are ‘terrified’ of how they might survive any cuts.”
Foodbank volunteer Mandy Fox had to give up working at Morrisons when she was 56 due to a number of health issues, including heart failure, sleep apnea, anxiety and depression. She previously relied on the foodbank for support, but has not needed to since started receiving £549 a month in PIP.
Mandy, aged 62, said: “Getting PIP has made a huge difference to me. Before I got it I was always worrying about paying for food and the bills. If I got a chocolate bar from the foodbank I’d take it home and share with my granddaughter – we’d have half each. That was our reality.”
PIP is intended to cover the extra costs associated with long-term health conditions or disabilities. The government is proposing to tighten the eligibility criteria for PIP, making it harder for people with less severe conditions to claim the benefit.
Mandy says she is ‘terrified’ of these changes. She said: “I know there are some people who play the system, but they’re in the minority. I would love to go back to work if I could, but the consultants at the hospital say I can’t. That is something I’ve come to terms with now.
“I think the government should leave the disability benefits alone. There’s just no need to change them.”
The government says there is an urgent need to reform the welfare system, with the cost of health and disability-related benefits expected to rise to £100 billion a year by 2029.