Between April 2022 and March 2023, the Trussell Trust gave out 384,477 emergency food parcels to Londoners.
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 London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to lobby Government for an increase in the Universal Credit rate, to ensure Londoners receive the essentials they need.
It has also called on 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.
Marina Ahmad AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“No one should have to rely on foodbanks but insufficient Government support means that Londoners need their help more and more. Universal Credit has not kept up with the cost of basic goods like food, which has seen huge inflation.
“It is very concerning that, in this context, the Government is risking Londoners being unable to access basic goods by changing the way claimants are referred to foodbanks.
“We need a higher rate of Universal Credit so that Londoners can make ends meet and, until then, the Department for Work and Pensions should be clear about how this change will impact Londoners.”
The full text of the motion is:
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.
Notes to editors
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Watch the webcast.
- Marina Ahmad AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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