Advertisement

  1. National

'500,000' reliant on food banks

More than half a million people are now reliant on food banks, charities have said as they called on MPs to investigate the impact of benefit cuts.

View all 4 updates ›

Charities: Benefit sanctions regime has 'gone too far'

Charities Oxfam and Church Action Aid have drawn a connection with the Government's two-year below-inflation cap on working-age benefit increases and the increased number of people in the UK using food banks.

Their report, Walking the Breadline, said:

There is clear evidence that the benefit sanctions regime has gone too far and is leading to destitution, hardship and hunger on a large scale.

There is a real risk that the benefit cuts and the introduction of Universal Credit... will lead to even larger numbers being forced to turn to food banks.

Food banks may not have the capacity to cope with the increased level of demand.

The national minimum wage and benefit levels need to rise in line with inflation in order to ensure than families retain the ability to live with dignity and can afford to feed and clothe themselves and stay warm.

  1. Read more
  2. 4 updates
'500,000' reliant on food banks

More top news