Doreen and Malcolm Henderson

HUNGER GAMES UK?

DEALING WITH POVERTY AND

INEQUALITY

4 October 2014

In Alberta, Canada, even small townships had a Foodbank

Credit crunch 2008

We searched

“Foodbanks” ?

Salisbury The Henderson’s

We talked and prayed with friends

The first £100 God’s will = God’s bill ! Seedbed - £2000 “I propose we make it £1000 !”

Churches together

All our volunteers receive training

Our first store

Cereal Sugar (small - 500gr.) Tinned Soup Tomatoes (Tins) Tinned Vegetables Tinned Fish Tins of meat Instant mash potato Pasta sauces Pasta / Rice (500gr. Milk - UHT

Fruit Juice - Long life Rice Pudding/ custard (tins.) Tins of Fruit Instant Coffee Tea Bags Biscuits Toiletries -toothpaste/shower gel shampoo/ soap / deodorants nappies Treats - cereal/choc. bars

Our first collection, September 2009 Truro Co-op.

Rotarians local businesses

schools events

The donated food is sorted and dated

Sanjay Kumar, international chef, cooks from a foodbox using a kettle and a camping stove!

People are referred to foodbanks for a variety of reasons but the most frequent cause last year was benefit delays.

Joseph and Mary 123 Any Road Truro TR0 0TA

Customers must have a voucher

A single person Foodbox

Baby items; Treats; Toiletries & Just past Best before date.

Growth of Truro Foodbank 2012 – 1033 people fed 2013 – 2129 people fed ( 33.2% children ) + 106% 2014 – 2450 people fed – projected + 15%

Main causes for visit 30% Low income 27% Benefit delay 14% Benefit changes 8.5% Debt

This report follows on from Walking the breadline – the scandal of food poverty in 21st century Britain By Oxfam and Church action on Poverty

Inequality UK is 7th richest country in the world – but it is

one of the most divided Richest 1% own same amount of wealth as 54%

of population The 1000 richest people in UK doubled their

wealth in last five years. The CEO’s of the top 100 companies took home

an average of £4.25 million last year - up 10% Yet only 6 pay staff a living wage.

Tax dodging costs between £32 - £120 billion!

Inequality 2 People on low incomes pay more for essentials, no car to reach out of town supermarkets; can’t finance direct debit for energy. Cheapest selection of groceries up to 69% dearer

in some of poorest parts of country than in same chain stores in richer areas

Energy The big six have increased prices by 37% over 3

years 2010 -13 8 times faster than av. earnings.

In 2013 their profits rose by 77%

Insecure contracts 1.4 million Zero hours contracts ; 37 hours one

week, next week 0 hours Under employment mostly in temporary jobs, up

from 7.1% in 2008 to 10.5% in 2012

Wages Minimum wage to increase by 19pence to £6.50

an hour in October. Taking inflation into account those on low wages have seen a decrease in real value over last five years.

The living wage is calculated at £7.65 an hour. 21% of workforce is paid less than this – 5.8 million people. 13million people live below national poverty line

Benefit changes 1.75 million of the poorest families have seen an

absolute cut in their income. 1.4 million low income families now pay average

of £154 a year Council tax not previously levied. 780,000 poorest families experiencing shortfall in

Housing Benefit of which 410,000 affected by the Bedroom tax.

On average these families’ Housing Benefit has been cut by £10.48 per week - £545 per year.

Large increase in “sanctions”- 71% males- (58% overturned on appeal.)

Health UK food prices have risen an average 43.5% in last

eight years. Low income families purchased 4.7% less food in

2012 than in 2007 whilst spending 17% more Long term effects of food poverty include increased risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes as well as stress related illnesses. Children suffer in school holidays, no school meals In poorest area of Westminster life expectancy for

men is 17 years less than in wealthiest area.

Where are we now? Public letter to PM from 43 bishops All Party Parliamentary Group on hunger and

food poverty (chaired by Bishop Tim and Frank Field to report by year end.)

20,247,042 meals given to people in food poverty in 2012/13 (Truro Foodbank 20,000 – 24,000 in 2014

approx. 50% children)

Pressure from the national press. Pressure on govt. to review Benefit sanctions. Pressure on govt. to deal with tax avoidance

especially by multi national companies.

Thank you !