Keighley food bank 'preparing for the worst'
It's after the Universal Credit benefit was cut by £20 a week on Wednesday (6th October)
Last updated 7th Oct 2021
Food banks in West Yorkshire are anticipating an increase in demand, after the uplift of universal credit came to an end yesterday (6th October).
It was increased by £20 a week at the start of the pandemic, the government says it was always a temporary measure.
We've been hearing from several people across the region who tell us they won't be able to afford to heat their homes this winter.
For 6 months from March 2020, the Salvation Army food bank in Keighley handed out food parcels to 3,600 people, which equates to around 6% of the population. However, demand has dropped in the last few weeks.
Josh Selfe, is the commanding officer at Keighley Salvation Army, he said:
"It's not inconceivable that we could start seeing massive increases in food bank numbers, we are kind of preparing for the worst and trying to make sure we have the right kind of stocks available to us, so we can meet that need if it does arrive.
"Not only is that £20 coming off, fuel prices and the supply problems that there are will mean that food will increase in price, as less food is being supplied, and that is going to produce problems and all of this is going to create a perfect storm.
"I spoke to a mother who is trying to rush her babies toilet training because she can't afford nappies anymore, and knowing full well the child isn't quite ready for it, but they have to do it out of necessity."