UK GOVERNMENT BENEFIT DELAYS INCREASING FOODBANK USE The Scottish National Party has criticised the UK government for failing to recognise the link between benefit delays and foodbanks as new figures show the number of people turning to foodbanks continues to rise, with benefit delays accounting for the largest proportion of people referred to a foodbank in Scotland. The Trussell Trust have revealed that 124% more people were referred to its foodbanks in Scotland during April and September 2014 compared with the same period last year. Commenting, Stuart McMillan MSP said: “In 21st Century Scotland, it is ridiculous that anyone should suffer from food poverty. The UK Government’s welfare cuts have thrown some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland into poverty and UK government incompetence -causing the delay of benefits being paid- is leaving people seeking food hand-outs. “The long list of voices calling for Scotland to gain responsibility for welfare policies has increased recently as organisation after organisation submitted recommendations to the Smith Commission calling for welfare decisions to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. “There is a clear recognition that Scotland needs substantial powers over welfare and taxation if we are to address the major problems that affect too many people in Scotland.”
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 08:57:06 +0000