Universal Credit to blame for Rotherham foodbank use say MPs Champion and Healey

Foodbank operator The Trussell Trust said that 4,450 emergency parcels were given out in Rotherham last year, with a third going to children.

In the year to March 2018, 3,660 were distributed a rise of almost 700 on the previous year.

Rotherham MP Ms Champion called for the scrapping of a five-week wait for the first payment of Universal Credit, saying it caused a “poverty trap”.

When a new claim for Universal Credit is made, an applicant must undergo a four-week income assessment period, which is followed by a one-week wait for a first payment.

“The continuing growth of dependence upon food banks is a shocking indictment of Universal Credit,” she said.

“The Trussell Trust, and local charities, like Shiloh, do amazing work in providing for some of our most vulnerable people.

“But it shouldn’t be left to charity to pick up the pieces. These figures are a direct result of the Government’s disastrous welfare policies.

“The delay in receiving vital support leads to a poverty trap, in which claimants are often forced to borrow whilst awaiting a payment.

“This can leave them with little on which to survive once a payment finally arrives.”

Wentworth and Dearne MP Mr Healey described the rise in foodbank users as “shocking”, adding: “Nobody should be forced to turn to food banks to survive.

“We’ve become a country with a food bank in every town and The Trussell Trust pins the blame for this squarely on government policies.

“The government must stop rolling out Universal Credit and make sure people get the support they need.”

The Trussell Trust has blamed the rise on the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments and benefits not covering the cost of living.

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “It is not true to say that people need to wait five weeks for their first payment.

“Universal Credit is available to claimants on day one.

“It also cannot be claimed that Universal Credit is driving the overall use of foodbanks or that benefit changes and delays are driving growth.

“The trust’s own analysis shows a substantial fall in the share of parcels being issued due to benefit payment delays.

“The best route out of poverty is to help people into sustainable employment which, with record employment, we are doing.”