Harrow Council and Trussell Trust call on Government to tackle poverty

The council released the figures after food bank network the Trussell Trust announced that a record 1.6 million emergency food parcels were handed out across the country in 2018-19.

Cllr Graham Henson, leader of Harrow Council, said he wants to help reverse this trend but explained that local authorities are working under consistent financial strain.

He attacked the recent Conservative and coalition governments over austerity policies and funding cuts to councils.

“We have witnessed the failure of the welfare state over the past decade that has left an increasing number of families across Harrow reliant on charity handouts and blighted by the constant spectre of destitution,” he said.

“Further cuts to local government by central government will mean that there will be devastating effects for children at risk, disabled adults, and vulnerable older people, as well as on community services up and down the country.”

He and other Labour council leaders in England and Wales have signed a letter to new prime minister Boris Johnson urging him to address these issues.

The letter includes calls for £2 billion to be invested in children’s services and a further £2 billion in adult social care.

Following his election, Mr Johnson said he would “look after the poorest and the neediest” and adopt methods that have lifted “billions out of poverty”.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, called on the prime minister to act on his word and urged him to address confusion and delays over Universal Credit as a priority.

She said: “Ultimately, it’s unacceptable that anyone should have to use a food bank in the first place. No charity can replace the dignity of having financial security.

“That’s why in the long-term, we’re urging the Government to ensure benefit payments reflect the true cost of living and work is secure, paying the real Living Wage, to help ensure we are all anchored from poverty.”