TAUNTON Foodbank is calling on General Election candidates to promise to protect people from poverty as it experiences a 25 per cent increase in demand for emergency food supplies.

Between April 1 and September 30 this year, 2,665 people have been fed thanks to receiving boxes from the foodbank. Of these people, 1,043 were children.

In response to the increase in usage, Taunton Foodbank is calling on the four candidates hoping to be Taunton’s next Member of Parliament to promise to take action to tackle the issues faced by people struggling to afford food.

They say help is needed, as the foodbank hasn’t yet seen its busiest time of year - Christmas.

Sue Weightman, manager of Taunton Foodbank said: “It’s a real concern that in just six months we’ve provided 2,665 emergency supplies to local people.

“These figures don’t take into account our busiest time of year - as the colder weather draws in, we often find even more people needing our help.

“We believe that everyone should have enough money coming in to cover the basics.

“But right now, more and more people in Taunton Deane are being forced to our food bank’s doors. This isn’t right.”

Somerset County Gazette:

CONCERN: Taunton foodbank manager Sue Weightman

The foodbank issued an appeal through your County Gazette during the summer months, as the school holidays left their shelves bare.

But the community quickly came to their aid to refill their supplies – something the foodbank is very grateful for.

Mr Weightman added: “While our help is needed, we’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support.

“Our vital work in the community has only been possible because of the incredible generosity shown by local people who have donated food, time and funds. The 25 per cent increase in those needing help has been more than matched by a 28 per cent increase in supplies coming in. The warehouse is looking well stocked as winter approaches, so thank you.”

The foodbank says the increase in need for the food bank is largely due to low levels of income. Many of the people they help are receiving benefit payments that don’t cover the cost of essentials, or are in low paid work.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “We’re seeing more and more people being pushed to food banks than ever before. People across the country, driven by compassion and a strong sense of justice, have been doing what they can to help, but we all want to see things change. It’s time for candidates on all sides to ensure these values are lived out in policies that anchor people from poverty.

“This General Election, all political parties must pledge to protect people from hunger by ensuring everyone has enough money for the basics. We want our next government to start working towards a future where no one needs a food bank by ending the five week wait for Universal Credit; ensuring benefit payments cover the cost of living; and investing in local emergency support for people in crisis.

“Together, these three changes will put money back into the pockets of people who most need our support. It’s not right that anyone has to walk through the doors of a food bank in the UK. But it’s in our power as a country to end the need for food banks - this can change.”

But what do our parliamentary hopefuls have to say about the situation? (Alphabetical from last names).

Gideon Amos, the Liberal Democrat candidate said: “Foodbanks are an indictment of a failed approach to benefits by the current government. In coalition Lib Dems ensured the level of benefits rose with inflation and we rejected the benefits freeze proposed by both Conservatives and Labour at the 2017 General Election - as they apparently both wanted to appear tough on claimants.

“Their four year benefits freeze has been a false economy, with charities and others left to pick up the pieces and many who use the foodbanks feeling humiliated that they cannot fend for their families without the food it provides. This meanness has to stop and I’m pleased that the Lib Dems are committed to ending the benefits freeze.

“I have also called for the roll out of Universal Credit in Taunton Deane ahead of many other places to be completely halted and reformed. As well as ending the freeze, Lib Dems are committed to getting rid of benefits sanctions altogether, end the two child limit and the benefits cap and provide more support for housing costs to match actual local rent levels.

“It is grossly unfair that in post-war Britain the support for those living in poverty was closer to average earnings than it is today. This is the very simple fact that lies behind the record levels of personal debt and rising use of food banks. As MP I will be committed to continuing my campaign standing up to government on behalf of people in Taunton Deane to get this changed.”

Liam Canham, the Labour candidate, said: “This is a really very concerning piece of information indeed, however, unfortunately I think somewhat expected. We have to look at these figures with another important report which was published in September of this year.

“This report shows that deprivation is getting worse overall in Somerset and crucially, which ties in with what the Trussell Trust is reporting- children in Somerset are facing greater income deprivation than older people. The stats for Somerset do not look good.

“Labour are unequivocal on these issues - it is not acceptable in 2019 for people to be having to use food banks. It is unacceptable that in 2019 people in Somerset are facing barriers to adequate housing, which is a right for us all, all the while the few at the top of the pile get richer. We have fundamental issues in this country that need to be addressed and only a Labour Government will invest in ordinary people and ensure that the use of food banks can be ended.

“Labour will ensure that everyone in the UK has a Right to Food by enshrining it in UK law, in a new Fair Food Act. The new law will create a National Food Commission to monitor food insecurity, make recommendations to governments and oversee all aspects of the food system in Britain. A £6m Access to Food Fund will be established to kick start the development of local community food plans in the 50 most food deprived areas of the country.

“The main reasons for referrals to food banks are changes made to the benefit system, delays to benefit payments and punitive sanctions. The food-specific work will complement Labour’s commitments to benefits reform and income enhancing measures, for paid and unpaid workers and for those seeking or unable to work.”

John Hunt, an Independent candidate, said: “As an Independent MP, I will be free to vote ‘against’ similar legislation to that introduced by the Tory/Lib Dem Coalition in 2012, that brought in the Welfare Reform Act and with it, the disaster that is Universal Credit.

“Delays in payments, led to a huge increase in the use/need for Food Banks and to the opening of the Taunton facility in the same year.

“If elected, I pledge to work cross-party to make changes to Universal Credit, allowing those in need to receive their payments promptly and to seek funding for those services looking after people in crisis and ensure the benefits received are enough for people to live on.”

Rebecca Pow, the Conservative candidate, said: “Clearly there are complex reasons behind why people go to foodbanks, and I have discussed this with the Taunton Food Bank team many times. I raised concerns about an increase in demand at our local foodbanks with the then Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd, when she visited the constituency earlier in the year suggesting some improvements to the new Universal Credit system which might make people’s lives easier. Accessing money when joining the UC scheme was a case in point and as a result a change was made to address delays so that claimants can receive advance payments and can also keep receiving Housing Benefit for two weeks after they apply.

“The Universal Credit system has generally been welcomed, certainly my discussions with the hard working DWP staff in Taunton would bear this out. It replaces the complex system run by three organisations with a single system focusing on moving those who can work into work, with a comprehensive system of support and advice that backs this up. I shall however continue to work if re-elected to ensure that those who really need help get it.

“Under the Conservatives an average of 1,000 people a day are getting into work, that’s 3.6m since 2010. In addition, the number of children living in workless households has reached a record low at 9.3 per cent down from 16.2 per cent in 2010 and work allowances were raised by £1,000 in April so that 2.4m Universal Credit claimants keep more of what they earn. I also recently worked to introduce the Homeless Reduction Act which unlocks funding for local authorities to work in partnership with stakeholders to identify potentially vulnerable people in advance and my meetings with stakeholders suggest there are positive outcomes

“There is always more to do to help the vulnerable and the Conservative manifesto will set out measures to extend support further. Of course, ensuring a strong economy is the best way of delivering the public services people need and by respecting the democratic vote and delivering Brexit, which the Conservatives are committed to, we can move the country forward and grow the economy further.”

The foodbank has asked for festive donations to be made in early December, to ensure volunteers have enough time to process and distribute these donations to people before Christmas.