Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD RESPONDS TO INCREASING FOOD BANK USE IN MORAY

Moray’s SNP MSP has responded to figures released by Moray Foodbank showing that demand for food parcels locally has reached an all-time high.

Moray Foodbank’s figures show that the number of referrals to their service has increased by 45% during 2018/19, whilst the number of people supported went up by 55%.

Richard Lochhead MSP said:

“The stark increase in the number of people being referred to Moray’s foodbank brings into sharp focus the devastating impact the Tory Government’s welfare cuts is having on people in our local communities.

“The reality of the UK Government’s swingeing cuts to welfare is that in Moray alone, we’re seeing an astonishing £13m a year being taken out of the pockets of families locally. These cuts are taking cash away from local families and pushing them to the point where they’re are skipping meals and having to rely on foodbanks to feed their children. 

“Behind these heart-breaking figures are people and families in our communities who are being let down by a system that is supposed to support them – instead it is forcing them into poverty.

“The staff and volunteers at Moray Foodbank do a power of work to support people in our communities and deserve a huge amount of credit - as do the public who make donations.”