Tag: cost of living crisis

More than 1.42 MILLION emergency food parcels distributed in past six months

Food banks in our community gave out just over 1,428,000 emergency food parcels across the UK between April and September this year, charity Trussell Trust reports today.

This includes 508,000 parcels provided for children facing hunger across the UK.

The majority of food parcels were distributed to families with children, with 63% of the total number of parcels going to households with children aged 0–16, the charity reports. More than 277,000 people visited a food bank in the Trussell community for the first time between April and September.  

The total number of parcels provided across the UK is 67,000 fewer when compared to the same period last year, representing a 4% decrease. Trussell says there are a number of possible reasons for this recent small dip, such as the gradual slowdown in the extortionate price hikes we experienced on food and bills in recent years, and an end to the Local Housing Allowance freeze in April, bringing support for private renters back in line with local rents. 

However, Trussell says it’s difficult to say if there has been an actual drop in hunger and hardship. The need for emergency food is still persistently high, and the number of parcels provided is 69% greater than the same period in 2019. 

In fact, some UK regions saw a marginal increase in the number of food parcels provided. East of England and London saw increases of 1% and 4% respectively in the numbers of parcels provided.  

Trussell says while food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left isolated, facing hunger, and without enough money to live on, many are at breaking point due to years of growing numbers of people forced through their doors. 

Winter is often the busiest time for food banks and Trussell is calling on the public to continue to play their part and support their local food banks to meet this urgent need, by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK. 

Food banks offer hope, dignity and relief to people facing hardship. Many need vital funds to provide services beyond distributing emergency food, such as advice and support that unlocks money someone should be getting and services aimed at helping people out of financial hardship.    

Trussell says the evidence is clear that hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem, it’s an income problem. People are being forced to turn to food banks because incomes from work, and social security payments, do not cover the cost of the essentials, such as food, bills, and toiletries.

That’s why Trussell has also joined forces with hundreds of communities, food banks and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in calling on the UK government to take urgent action now.  

Today, food banks across the UK have joined together to rally for change and are giving out a newspaper, the Hardship Times, in Westminster. The newspaper is made up of messages of hardship and hope, collected from hundreds of food banks across the UK.   

The charity says there is hope and it knows we can end hunger, if positive action is taken. The UK government must act swiftly to follow up announcements in the recent Budget, with a clear plan to meet its manifesto commitment to end the need for emergency food and ensure that we do not see even more people facing hunger and hardship on its watch.  

This plan should include investment in our social security system, at the very least introducing a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit to limit the amount of reductions that could be applied to a household’s Universal Credit. This would ensure, for the first time, that there would be a real safety net below which no one could fall.

The charity says this would be a low cost but concrete step towards ensuring our social security system protects people from facing hunger and hardship.  

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of Trussell, said: “The sheer numbers of people still facing hunger and hardship across the UK is heartbreaking. This cannot go on and we refuse to stand by while so many of us are pushed to the brink, left without enough money to live on.  

“Our food banks are a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. They need everyone to play their part to move us towards ending the need for emergency food in the UK.

“You can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice this winter by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK. 

“Meanwhile, alongside our community of food banks campaigning today in Westminster, we will continue to call for change.

“The UK Government was elected with a manifesto pledge to end the need for emergency food and the time to act is now. There have been promising steps, but we need a clearer plan with more decisive action to invest in our social security system, if we are to end hunger once and for all.” 

Number of emergency food parcels distributed by food banks in the Trussell community: 1 April – 30 September 2019, 2023, and 2024:      

        1 April – 30 September 2019 1 April – 30 September 2023 1 April– 30 September 2024 
For adults For children   Total   For adults For children Total   For adults For children Total   
UK 534,786 309,203 843,989 952,394 542,915 1,495,309 920,960 507,721 1,428,681 
England 411,598 243,697 655,295 785,489 451,713 1,237,202 764,077 424,758 1,188,835 
Scotland 75,361 36,891 112,252 87,485 42,136 129,621 82,424 39,967 122,391 
Wales 37,262 21,199 58,461 56,496 32,209 88,705 53,878 28,907 82,785 
Northern Ireland 10,565 7,416 17,981 22,924 16,857 39,781

Council tenants urged to share views on how their rent should be spent

The City of Edinburgh Council is asking tenants to give their feedback on how it invests in Council homes, neighbourhoods, and services.

With just six weeks to go until this year’s consultation closes on Friday 29 November, tenants across the capital are being reminded to share their views on how they’d like their rent to be spent.

In February this year, councillors agreed to increase rent by 7% every year, for five years, starting in April 2024. The longer-term strategy gives tenants more certainty about the rent they pay and helps the Council better plan spending to improve homes and services.

The Council also introduced the Tenant Hardship Fund which offers financial assistance for tenants struggling to make rent payments. This year, the fund was increased to a maximum award of two fortnightly rent charges per tenant per year.

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Jane Meagher said: “We’re determined to provide a better service to our tenants, improve their homes, and build more places for people to live because everyone deserves a suitable and affordable place to call home.

“That’s why we want to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to share their views on how we spend and invest in their homes, neighbourhoods, and services. I’d urge every tenant to visit our website and share their priorities for how they’d like their rent to be spent.

“I also want tenants and residents’ groups to know that they can come to us if they’re worried about being able to pay their rent or have already missed payments.”

Find out more and share your views here at the consultation hub.

Tenants who are struggling to pay rent can speak to their housing officer or contact tenanthardshipfund@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank needs your outgrown coats

⭐We really need your outgrown coats!⭐

Clear out your cupboards and donate pre-loved coats to ESUB. We work with a number of community spaces around the city offering free to access rails of coats and warm clothing. The need is greater than ever.

We are looking for all child and adult sizes to keep up with demand from our community partners.

👉Information about our drop off points can be found here:

ESUB drop-off locations

LifeCare launches urgent appeal to help older people get through ‘very difficult winter ahead’

Edinburgh charity anticipates 30% growth in demand for free support

This winter will be much harder for many local older people.  Cuts to winter fuel benefits alongside continued high prices will force more older people in Edinburgh to make difficult choices.

Local charity LifeCare delivers vital services and activities which makes an immediate difference to the lives of those that need it most – but urgently needs support to help meet increasing demand. 

LifeCare Edinburgh has over 80 years’ experience offering the vital care and support older people need all year round, and supports over 900 individuals a year.  The charity reported unprecedented levels of enquiries for support through the pandemic and continues to experience rising demand for their free and subsidised services through the cost of living crisis, with enquiries up over 67% from those living on a low income.  

The charity responded to these growing local needs by extending its vital programme of free support.  

This includes free ‘meals on wheels’ delivering hot, freshly-cooked two-course meals to the homes of local older people, free ‘help at home’ services helping with cleaning, shopping and prescription collections – even more important during the icy cold months, free wellbeing activities and hot drinks for the growing numbers of struggling unpaid carers and a growing programme of free community engagement activities for local people.  

They also run their free Saturday Social warm space providing hot food, activities and companionship from their Cheyne Street community hub every week. 

However, the charity is struggling to sustain these services through this period of high need. The organisation’s own costs are increasing with food, fuel and staff costs all rising significantly plus the charity has been impacted by the recent Local Authority budget cuts with further reductions anticipated next year.  

The charity is calling on local people and businesses to get involved and give a donation to help deliver support to those that need it most this winter.

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said “Local older people right here in Edinburgh face a very difficult winter ahead.  With the 10% increase on energy costs, continued high food prices and a reduction in benefits, it will be devastating for many. 

“Last year we delivered over 5,000 free meals to those living on a low income.  This year we anticipate needing to grow the service by a further 30% to help meet growing demand for this important service as more local older people struggle. 

We urgently need the support from local people and local businesses, to enable LifeCare to deliver services such as this which make a real difference to those struggling most.  

“Thanks to our services, older people keep well in their homes, they have a warm place to visit, hot nutritious food to eat, have company to look forward to and are able to get out and about to activities safely.  

“Over 75% of the people we support live alone, rising to over 85% of our Meals on Wheels clients.  And as many of our clients can’t leave their homes unaided, they would go for a very long time without any contact without our support.  

“The frustration is that we know we can deliver the care that people want and need, but we are facing increased costs too. We are asking local people and businesses to consider giving a one-off or regular gift through our Winter Warmer appeal.  

“Donations can be made on our website or alternatively people can come along to our community café on Cheyne Street to pledge their support.  Even choosing to have your coffee or lunch from our café will help us to deliver the care local older people need to ensure they continue to thrive at home.” 

All money raised through Winter Warmer will go directly towards supporting older people in the city.  For more information about LifeCare’s services visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/ or call 0131 343 0940 to chat with the friendly team. 

Free winter coat exchange launches at Fort Kinnaird tomorrow

The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird is launching its annual winter coat exchange tomorrow (Tuesday 1st October) to provide the local community with access to pre-loved coats for free during the colder months.

The independent store, located between Mango and WHSmith, is inviting local residents and businesses to donate good quality winter coats they no longer need, with men’s and children’s coats in highest demand.

Members of the local community will then be able to browse the collection of coats instore and pick up one up for themselves and their family, completely free of charge, with no questions asked.

The initiative builds on last year’s success, where more than 10,000 coats were donated and distributed across the region.

Sara Thomson, founder of The Leith Collective, said: “People often discard their old coats or leave them hidden at the back of a wardrobe when they are still in perfectly good condition and could provide someone else warmth over the winter months.

“A comfortable winter coat is a basic necessity, but for families that have been continually stretched, it can be yet another essential item that they are having to sacrifice, so we invite anyone who needs support to make use of the service this year.

“We’re also very grateful to everyone who donated last year, and hope people are able to support again this year, our only ask is that the coats donated are still in a good quality condition and that all personal belongings have been removed from the pockets.”

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with The Leith Collective and the hugely important initiatives Sara and the team run all year round to benefit our local community – and the winter coat exchange plays a huge part in this.

“Not only has it provided valuable support to those who need it most for three years running, it also offers shoppers the opportunity to make sustainable choices for pre-loved coats that they no longer need. I look forward to seeing the impact I’m sure it will have again this year.”

The Leith Collective showcases the work of more than 300 artists and makers from all over Scotland, brought together by a common aim to reuse, recycle, and reclaim. It resells items that may otherwise have been destined for landfill and all of its stores also host a range of creative workshops focused on sustainability.

For details on participating in this year’s coat exchange or The Leith Collective’s creative workshops, email Info@theleithcollective.com or visit www.leithcollective.co.uk.

For more information about Fort Kinnaird: www.fortkinnaird.com

Social Security Scotland: Help with heating costs

Benefits to support people with heating costs over the winter are paid automatically to those who are eligible during the qualifying week.

People will get a letter to confirm they are entitled to the payment and will be paid automatically.

Read more at http://bit.ly/WinterHeatingBenefits2425

More than 10,000 free coats to be redistributed to those in need this winter 

The Leith Collective launches Winter Coat Exchange to coincide with energy price cap rise

On Tuesday 1st October 2024, the energy price cap will rise by 10%, taking a typical annual household bill to £1,717. One Edinburgh Community Interest Company predicts this increase will push many struggling families over the edge.

To help in the fight against poverty, The Leith Collective is launching its Winter Coat Exchange on Tuesday 1st October to coincide with this energy price cap rise. Having redistributed almost 10,000 free coats last winter, founder Sara Thomson predicts even more will be needed this year to provide warmth and comfort to those in desperate need.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, more than one million people live in poverty in Scotland, with nearly half of those people (490,000) living in very deep poverty. The energy price cap rise will hit those trapped in poverty the hardest and will no doubt force many to sacrifice basic essentials such as a warm winter coat.

And so, The Leith Collective is calling on businesses, organisations, charities and community groups across Scotland to register as an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point. That way, they can redistribute good quality coats to those who need them – free of charge, no questions asked – and provide much-needed comfort this winter.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Sara said; “This is the fourth year of running the Winter Coat Exchange and sadly I think our help will be needed more than ever this year.

“So many people are already at breaking point because of the cost of living crisis, and now gas and electric bills are set to rise yet again. Last year we redistributed almost 10,000 coats to those in need and we’re bracing ourselves for even greater demand this winter.” 

One of the first organisations to sign up to the scheme this year was the Edinburgh CIC, Let the People Sing. Founder Vicky Scoular said; “Going without basic necessities such as a warm winter coat can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s dignity and on their mental wellbeing.

“So we’re proud to be playing our part in the fight against poverty by signing up to be an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point and we implore as many other local organisations to do the same so we can make a real difference.”

Organisations can sign up to become an official Winter Coat Exchange Collection Point at www.we-relove.com, the sustainable online marketplace from The Leith Collective.

The website also enables individuals in need to enter their postcode and find their nearest collection point, so they can get a quality coat without charge and without judgement.

New school uniform guidance published

Reducing the cost of the school day

New national guidance which aims to reduce the cost of school uniforms for families has been published.

Following consultation with schools, families, uniform suppliers, pupils and councils, the new guidance also sets out key considerations to ensure pupil comfort, freedom and happiness.

The guidance, which can be used to form individual school uniform policies, includes advice on encouraging schools to adopt measures that limit costs for families and reduce waste, including limiting the number of items that pupils need and promoting items that can be reused more easily.

The Education Secretary launched the guidance during a visit to Camperdown Primary School in Dundee where she learned about work by pupils to develop a cost of the school day action plan.

Ms Gilruth said: “Every child in Scotland should be able to attend school feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn. However, we know the cost can be a significant burden for families and we want to support schools to minimise these costs.

“This new national guidance contains measures for schools to develop and implement their own affordable and sustainable policies that recognise the individual needs of all pupils.

“It makes clear that schools are expected to do all they can to limit school clothing costs for families as part of our wider aim to reduce the cost of the school day. The guidance also encourages schools to develop flexible and inclusive policies which promote generic items of clothing and do not include compulsory branded items, supporting our efforts to be more sustainable.

“Ending child poverty is the central mission of this government and reducing the cost of the school day for families will play a crucial role in this work.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh School Uniform Bank reacted: “We’re delighted that the government has adopted many of our suggestions around school uniform in their new guidance:

👉 Pupils’ comfort, happiness and freedom to learn and play should be at the centre of considerations about school uniform and clothing, alongside a focus on removing barriers to participation in school education.

👉 Branded items of uniform and blazers should not be compulsory, nor promoted or encouraged by schools.

👉 Schools should avoid including items that need frequent washing or are difficult to wash or dry, and

👉 promote and support arrangements for families to access pre-loved clothing, and

👉 consider the availability of non-standard sizes of uniform, clothing and footwear included within their policies to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their age or build, are able to access comfortable and practical clothing and footwear at a reasonable cost.

School uniform and clothing: Guidance for schools and education authorities

28% unpaid carers across Scotland are living in poverty

ONE IN TWELVE IN DEEP POVERTY

28% unpaid carers across Scotland live in poverty, with 1 in 12 in deep poverty 

  • The rate of poverty amongst unpaid carers is 56% higher than those who do not provide unpaid care in Scotland.  
  • 8% of unpaid carers in Scotland live in deep poverty; 50% below the poverty line. 
  • As many as 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty. 
  • Carers Scotland is calling for an increase in the value of Carer Support Payment and in its earnings-limit along with an increase in support for unpaid carers on means-tested benefits.

 

New research finds that unpaid carers in Scotland are significantly more likely to experience financial hardship compared to those who do not provide unpaid care. The report by WPI Economics for Carers UK, funded by arbdn Financial Fairness Trust, explores the drivers and extent of poverty amongst unpaid carers in Scotland, finding that 28% are living in poverty, with 8% classed as being in “deep poverty”. 

One of the main drivers of poverty highlighted in the report is the difficulty unpaid carers have combining paid work with their caring role. Many unpaid carers have to give up their careers or reduce their working hours as a result of their unpaid caring responsibilities, which can result in a loss of income and their ability to accumulate savings and pensions.  

Other drivers of carer poverty include high housing costs, lack of support and access to social care services and the inadequacy of social security.  

Fiona Collie, Head of Public Affairs and Communications for Carers Scotland, said: “It’s deeply disturbing and shocking to hear that as many as 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty.

“Every day across the country, the care they provide helps to hold society together, and too many are finding themselves in precarious financial positions as a result. Relatively small increases to support can have a big impact on carers’ lives and lift many thousands out of poverty. 

“Many carers face huge challenges juggling paid work and unpaid care. We need better support for carers in paid work, and to see visible change for those facing high costs linked to caring by the planned National Care Service meeting the needs of unpaid carers and supports them to continue with paid work, where they are able to combine this with their caring role.  

“Carers who are struggling financially, caring for more hours, and caring over a longer period of time are under immense pressure. They urgently need proper support, new rights and legal protections to ensure that they are not penalised as a result of their caring role.” 

Vivienne Jackson, Programme Manager at abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, said: “The care system would collapse without the vital people who provide unpaid care.

“It’s not right that those who provide essential services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society are living in poverty. Government and employers need to work together to help lift carers out of poverty.” 

Carers Scotland is now calling on the both the UK and Scottish Governments to act on the detailed recommendations laid out in the report, including committing to reviewing Carer Support Payment to increase its low value, reducing complexity and to increasing carer top-ups for those on means tested benefits such as Universal Credit. 

The Scottish Government must also continue to develop and deliver its commitment to pilot a minimum income guarantee for unpaid carers in Scotland 

The charity also wants to see better support for carers who might be able to combine paid work with unpaid care, including increasing the earnings threshold in Carer Support Payment to 21 hours at the National Living Wage.