Dorset MP questions food bank use as numbers rocket

The rising cost of living and an ever-worsening fuel crisis, along with with stagnating wages is leading to more and more people being crippled by food poverty, say BCP Council and staff at the conurbation's food banks.

But despite agencies red flagging the struggled people will be suffering with financial hardship and living costs rocketing, one Dorset MP has questioned the reported rise in foodbank use.

Bournemouth Foodbank alone has seen a 43 per cent increase in clients compared to this time last year.

Some of the food on offer at the foodbank

The food bank helped 839 people, 207 of which were children between January 1 and January 24 - this is up from 586 people helped in the same period last year.

In Poole, both the number of food bank and community store users has increased since this time last year and the clientele has also changed.

Read more: Demand for emergency food parcels rise by a third in one month

Nicki Searle, Hamworthy satellite food bank manager, said: “People are struggling in general, we’re getting more people now who are working as opposed to those who might be on benefits or really low income.”

This is the first time Nicki has seen working people attend the food bank.

She said: “So many of them have been through periods of no wages or low wages, some of them have lost their jobs and had to take lower paid jobs - they’re really struggling now.

“People have used up any small amount of savings that they had during lockdown to keep themselves going so as soon as a big bill comes they’re just completely wiped out.

St Gabriel's church in Turlin Moor

“To be honest, people using the food bank have reached rock bottom and a lot of them are very sad that they’re here."

Read more: ‘Demand is outstripping supply at food banks ’

Concerned for the future Nicki fears demand will “out strip the amount of donations that we get in”.

“It’s very unjust in a country that has enough money and enough resources for everyone to live a good life," she added.

“It’s ridiculous and there are an awful lot of MPs who have absolutely no idea what it’s like to live on maybe £1,500 coming into your home every month.

“I’ve got young lads on universal credit and once they’ve paid all their bills one lad is left with £28 for the month to live on and that’s not even going to pay for food.

“It’s just mad.”

However, Poole MP, Sir Robert Syms said: “Well I’m a bit surprised because at the moment unemployment continues to fall and the economy is continuing to grow and I can’t see any particular reason why it [the number of food bank users] would pick up.

“Unless it’s just been the Christmas period and people, you know, struggle with that.

Sir Robert Syms

“I can’t see yet how energy bills would have made that much of an impact on people’s finances.”

Sir Robert added he would “have a word” with the Department for Work and Pensions to see if there were more people applying for help.

Councillor Nicola Greene, portfolio holder for COVID resilience said: “With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increase in food and fuel bills we know that many people will be really struggling and experiencing financial hardship this winter. We will be working closely with our partners including schools and Citizen’s Advice BCP to ensure those households that are most in need can access help.”

Read more: BCP Council chairman visits Bournemouth Foodbank as demand continues to rise

Her sentiments were echoed by councillor Karen Rampton, portfolio holder for people and homes, who said: “We know that many local households are struggling and desperately need extra support this winter to afford food and help with keeping their home warm, and we encourage anyone who needs help, to get in touch.”

The Bournemouth Daily Echo contacted Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns and Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood who both failed to respond for requests for comment.