Demand for food banks has increased from two to eleven in the last two years.
A NEW REPORT set for approval by Brighton and Hove City Council sets out the worsening food crisis in Brighton and Hove. Changes to the welfare system have resulted in the number of food banks needed in the city increasing from two to 11 in the last two years, with two more set to open imminently.
Emma Daniel, Labour Councillor for Hanover and Elm Grove, said: “The existing schemes to alleviate the food crisis are well-meaning but inadequate for the needs of the people. Brighton and Hove as well as the government are failing residents in need. It is clear that the government’s benefits cuts have forced countless families in Brighton and Hove to rely on food banks. The food banks were not designed to cope with such huge demand and the system is bursting at the seams. Ordinary working people have to rely on food banks now. The food banks’ capacity is limited and they only work through referrals. The food crisis is very real and is resulting in malnutrition both for adults and children.”
“I regularly come across mothers who I can see are clearly not eating enough and look malnourished. Free school meals help their children, but it is painful to see that they are struggling to afford food for themselves.”
“We can all help by donating food to food bank collection points around Brighton and Hove. I would like to see many more collection points opened so that more people are able to contribute to help. I am going to write to the biggest Lewes Road supermarkets and ask them to set up permanent food bank collection points.”
At the moment, the government does not record statistics on the use of food banks. The Trussell Trust, a charitable organisation that provides emergency food parcels, has built statistics on the use of food banks.
In fiscal year 2013/2014, the Trussell Trust provided help to 91,974 people in the South-East. This is up from 44,951 in the previous fiscal year – an increase of 105 per cent in just one year.
The Brighton and Hove Labour Group has made a commitment to set up a Fairness Commission if elected at the local elections in May 2015. The Commission will look into tackling the growing poverty and inequality in Brighton & Hove. The commission will be independently chaired, funded from within existing budgets and report within a year.