THE Bishop of Hereford (Divide becoming too great) writes: “It was alarming discovering how the need [for Hereford Food Bank] has increased: up 50 per cent this year alone.
Even households with two incomes find it harder and harder to make ends meet.” (Opinion, July 14).
The bishop advises concerned people to volunteer for the food bank, donate food or money.
With my own poverty, disability and wealth of knowledge and experience regarding the causes of poverty, I am reminded of the words of assassinated Archbishop Helder Camara.
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He said: “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist.”
I messaged the bishop in July with the above but await a reply still. Subsequently, there have been several news items about the impact of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Statutory Debt Repayment Plans that allow up to 25 per cent of a claimant’s income to be deducted at source.
Reports elsewhere say that up to 75 per cent of some foodbanks demand comes from people on Universal Credit.
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Would he mind telling us what percentage of Hereford Food Bank customers are due to the failings of that ‘flagship’ of the DWP?
Many of the courts and tribunals backlogs – including council tax debt – are due to ‘welfare reforms’, and rather than dealing with the causes the Government tries to digitise the justice system. Summary justice?
ALAN WHEATLEY
Hereford
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