Fact: Food poverty in England
According to The Trussell Trust, which runs more than 1,300 food banks in the UK, the need for help in the country this winter has been unprecedented.
According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, more than 14.5 million people in the UK live in poverty. 4.3 million of these are children.
Food inflation in the country is at a high of 16.4 percent, while gas prices are 130 percent higher than last year.
90 per cent of UK food banks have seen a big increase in visitor numbers in the last two months compared to the same period last year. From IFAN (Independent Food Aid Network).
Half of the food banks surveyed say that if demand continues to rise, they will be forced to reduce aid or turn away new applicants for operations. writes The Observer.
Businesses testify that soaring food and energy prices in recent years have led to new groups such as health care workers and teachers.
“Many lose their legs”
According to IFAN co-ordinator Sabine Goodwin, there are many signs that the situation for many Britons will worsen.
“Over the winter many have tried to borrow money and built up debts that will eventually cost them their standing,” he tells the British newspaper.
Food inflation in the UK has risen for some time to 16.4 per cent, the highest level since 1977. In particular, prices of key commodities like milk, butter, cheese and eggs have risen – putting pressure on the country’s food supply. Banks grew at a rapid rate.
Inflation behind the strike wave
Widespread inflation combined with high energy prices is behind the wave of strikes that have rocked the country in recent months. Among others, nurses, ambulance workers and teachers have stopped their work to protest the deteriorating living conditions.
According to Sabine Goodwin, the growing need for help among Britons is putting a heavy workload on volunteers working at the country’s food banks.
– We endure, but the need never ends. As a volunteer, you often feel that our help is not enough, she tells the Observer.
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