15th May 2024
Uncertainty as Reach Figures Show 50% More Children Fed Amid Economic News
Reach Community Projects, based in Haverhill, Suffolk, is concerned about a lack of long-term social security systems in place as latest statistics show their Haverhill foodbank has fed 56% more children than 5 years ago.
Reach Community Projects is always alert to, and monitoring, the effects of economic events, including government policies, on the wellbeing of the poorest sections of society and how they may be further called to action as a result.
Recent announcements have highlighted messages both about the economy and also about food parcels; Trussell Trust, who REACH work with in partnership, have had an alarming record number of emergency food parcels given out in the past year. Meanwhile, the news that the UK is technically out of recession was balanced by the Bank of England’s decision not to lower interest rates, indicating that there is still inflationary pressure in the economy.
At REACH, the dismay is first and foremost about the enormous rise in the number of children in the local area who have needed an emergency food parcel. The number in comparison to five years ago is a shocking 56% increase in children fed by REACH.
This is just one example of the real-life effects on the local community, of which REACH is passionately concerned. Another is the steady increase since 2018 of adults aged over 65 being fed through emergency food, in line with the findings of Trussell Trust, from only 9 helped throughout 2018/19 to over 50 helped in 2023/24.
Alongside these news items, REACH notes that prices and rents are still rising and putting considerable pressure on already pressed families working hard to balance their own household economics. For example, food inflation is still running at 4% (Office of National Statistics), that for clothing is much the same (Statistica) and the Department for Transport reports bus fares rising at 4.6%.
In reaction to these alarming figures, Henry Wilson, CEO of REACH, remarked: “To see more and more families in our community having to turn to us for emergency support is not just saddening, it is also unacceptable. For even a single child to be hungry in need of food is a failure, and we need to see some real changes made across the board to prevent this from happening, and to turn this heartbreaking trend around.”
In relation to the economic announcements, REACH’s CEO, Henry Wilson, said “It’s always great to hear even a smidgen of good news but my concern right now, in basic terms, is how this translates to those suffering real, real hardship in our community”.
REACH’s point is that the costs of food, clothing, accommodation, transport and other essentials of life, are still rising with consequential negative impact upon many families and individuals already in great need. This concern is borne out by the increasing numbers of people turning to REACH for debt and long-term support as well as the rising activity at its food bank warehouse.
Continuing in his analysis, Henry Wilson said “One of the reasons I worry about our fellow citizens in need is that, while the cost of living continues its upward trend, one of the major safety nets, the Household Support Fund, is due to end in just a very few months from now and that, in itself, is likely to precipitate a further leap in the numbers suffering hardship along with the despair that so often accompanies it. I say again that Pounds in Pockets is what makes the difference.”
Aimee*, who is a single mum aged 23, felt hopeless when she came to us for a food parcel. She wants to do the best she can for her toddler and has had to take a part time job topping up her Universal Credit payment of £311.68 a month (the standard amount for under 25s). She is doing all the right things, but just doesn’t have enough money coming in to cover the essentials, and she couldn’t afford to buy food for her daughter and still pay her bills.
We were able to provide food for them both, and stopped the monthly rental charge for her washing machine through funding from the Household Support Fund used to buy her one instead. This small act was an incredible relief for Aimee, who relies on her machine as much as anyone with a small toddler does, and said that expense back each month really made a difference. We’ll continue to advocate on her behalf, and support her with financial and budgeting advice.