SDLP Social Justice Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has expressed concern after learning that demand for food banks across the North has soared by almost 150 per cent in the context of COVID-19.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The high level of food bank usage pre pandemic was already far too high for a modern and progressive society.
“However, it is extremely worrying that the demand for local food banks has risen by 142%, compared to last April.
“This includes a huge rise of 128% for children seeking support.”
“This is an incredibly difficult time for people right across the North and as worrying as they are, these figures are sadly not surprising.
“It is important to remember that these statistics are real people, families and children, desperate and in need of the most basic of support.
“The Trussel Trust, who released these worrying figures, are clear that the solution to this scourge on our society is not as simple as just providing food parcels.
“While food banks do amazing work and provide emergency support for so many, we must seek to provide financial support directly to those suffering hardship.
“The Trust have made a series of recommendations to the Executive on how they can better support vulnerable people.
“These include extending and strengthening welfare mitigations and scrapping the callous two child tax, suspending Universal Credit advance payment collections and continuing free school meals until children return to school.
“These are issues that the SDLP have raised time and time again and I will be raising them again with Minister Hargey at the earliest opportunity.
“There has been a heartening sense of community throughout this pandemic and people have gone above and beyond to support one another.
“I want to applaud those tireless volunteers and staff at foodbanks who working so hard to support people.
“While this is very welcome, we need to do better than just providing food parcels to those in hardship.
“If we are genuinely committed to building a fairer society, we must seriously invest in tackling poverty,” added Mr Durkan.
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