The UK government is considering making £5bn in cuts to financial support for ill and disabled people. Edinburgh Food Project opposes these cuts in the strongest terms.
The changes will affect around 1 million people and are “likely to reduce the Treasury funding” to pay for welfare benefits in Scotland, the BBC reports. Some people could be hundreds of pounds a month worse off. Slashing welfare payments risks pushing even more people into using foodbanks and these cuts would hit disabled people on the lowest incomes here in Edinburgh.
Chris Nelson, Money Advice Service manager for Edinburgh Food Project, said: “Our foodbanks have witnessed firsthand the critical role that stable welfare support plays in safeguarding the well-being of individuals and families. Cuts to benefits risk pushing more people into crisis, increasing reliance on emergency food parcels, and further straining mental health services.”
Research shows that disabled people in the UK are already three times more likely to face hunger and, according to figures from the Trussell Trust, three quarters of the people needing foodbanks are disabled or live with someone disabled.
The passionate volunteers and staff at Edinburgh Food Project work incredibly hard to make sure food and essentials get to people who need them. Our Money Advice Service staff have helped secure more than £230,000 in benefits owed to clients since January and we work with over a dozen Support Agencies providing help with things like employability, housing and advocacy.
Colin Campbell, Strategic Partnership and Development Lead at Edinburgh Food Project said: “Our vision is for an Edinburgh without poverty where everyone has what they need to thrive. These cuts risk causing further harm to people in Edinburgh who are already really struggling. It’s parents skipping meals so their kids can eat, it’s people unable to afford travel to medical appointments and sitting in cold homes. We encourage people to write to their MPs opposing these unnecessary and unfair cuts.”
Whilst Edinburgh Food Project works towards the goal that one day there will no longer be a need for foodbanks, it is appalling that the government is considering withdrawing support from some of the most vulnerable people in our city and potentially increasing the need for our services. Trussell CEO Emma Revie recently said of the proposed cuts: “A plan to slash payments and rip support from disabled people who most need our collective protection from hunger is cruel and counterproductive.”
We are calling on everyone reading this to take two minutes and join Trussell’s campaign and write to their MP ahead of the Spring Statement on 26 March asking them to put pressure on the Prime Minister to rethink the planned cuts. You can also visit our website to find out how to donate food or funds to our foodbanks as we continue to support Edinburgh residents through tough times.