DWP Changes to Foodbank Referrals

Marina Ahmad AM moved, and Anne Clarke AM seconded the following motion:

“This Assembly notes that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has changed the way it refers benefit claimants to foodbanks. New signposting ‘slips’ will only contain basic information about local foodbanks, rather than a referral for claimants.

The Assembly further notes that between April 2022 and March 2023, the Trussell Trust gave out 384,477 emergency food parcels to Londoners.

The Assembly also notes that the overall price of food has risen by around 25% between January 2022 and January 2024 while the rate of Universal Credit has only risen 3.1% in 2022/23 and 10.1% in 2023/24.

The Assembly welcomes the Mayor of London’s support for the Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s ‘Guarantee Our Essentials’ campaign. No one should have to rely on foodbanks.

The Assembly is concerned that DWP changes to foodbank referrals could prevent Londoners from accessing much needed support and assistance and regrets and that the need for foodbanks is growing.

This Assembly gives our thanks to foodbank volunteers and donors, whose efforts ensure that those let down by insufficient Government support can access basic goods.

This Assembly calls for:

• The Mayor to continue to lobby the Government for an increase in the rate of Universal Credit, ensuring Londoners are guaranteed the essentials they need
• The Chair of the Assembly to write to the DWP to ask for clarity on the change to referrals to foodbanks and outline how Londoners will be assisted to access food parcels.”

Following debate and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed unanimously.