Highlands and Islands MSP shocked by foodbank numbers
Highlands and Islands MSP, Rhoda Grant, says she’s alarmed by the number of three-day emergency food supplies delivered in the region between April 2017 and March 2018.
According to Ms Grant, 12,670 three-day emergency food packs were issued in the Highlands and Islands by the Trussell Trust during this 12 month period, with 3,625 going to children. This compares with the 170,625 packs supplied across the whole of Scotland during the same period.
Describing these figures as “alarming” Ms Grant has pointed to increases in utility bills and housing as the main reasons behind it, along with insecure work and low income.
“Problems with the universal credit system were highlighted as a concern with poor administration being top of the list, poor communication and few being offered fortnightly payments,” she said.
“The fact is simple. No one in the Scotland, never mind the Highlands and Islands should have to rely on food banks in the 21st century, so we have to look at the cause of these problems. Universal Credit is the future for the benefits system, so clearly we need to get it right.
“I will be writing to the cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities, Angela Constance, highlighting the above.”