At this month’s full council meeting, councillors debated a motion tabled by Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services, Cllr. Jane Gebbie (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Criber).
The full text of the motion is available here. In summary:
The Council:
- Notes increased demand for emergency food in Bridgend County, with a 21% increase in food parcels over the last 12 months, with a higher proportion of households with children experiencing poverty.
- Note that 5 in 6 low-income households receiving Universal Credit are going without at least one essential (food, warmth, toiletries), and 9.3million people across the UK have a household income more than 25% below the poverty line.
- Supports a campaign – backed by Bridgend Foodbank, Trussell Trust and others – to introduce an Essentials Guarantee to ensure that the basic level of social security is always enough to afford essentials.
Emergency food “a moral scar on society”
Cllr. Gebbie told a story of a resident – a single mother of three working two jobs in the service industry – who relied on food parcels to ensure her children had enough food.
Hunger impacts a child’s ability to learn and grow. Bridgend Food Bank provides over 8,000 food parcels a year and there was an alarming rise in the number of households facing hardship. She described the need for emergency food as a “moral scar on society”.
Cllr. Ross Penhale-Thomas (Ind, Maesteg West) said there was a moral and ethical responsibility to ensure that everyone in the UK is able to afford necessities. It was clear the current welfare system wasn’t providing enough of a safety net.
Ensuring a minimum income could save taxpayers’ money by reducing strain on public services, reducing crime and increasing local spending power – in addition to providing a level of dignity. Other high-income nations have more generous welfare systems with no negative economic effects.
Resident “left with 50p to last five days”
Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment, Cllr. Paul Davies (Lab, Caerau), recalled a resident who came to him with 50p in his pocket and four children. This 50p money had to last him five days and he was provided with emergency food.
Cllr. Alex Ulberini-Williams (Ind, Pencoed & Penprysg) supported the motion on moral and ethical grounds. However, from an economist’s perspective, unintended consequences need to be safeguarded against – such as protecting against inflation.
An amendment suggested by Cllr. Steven Bletsoe (Ind, Bridgend Central) asking BCBC to lobby the Welsh Government in addition to the UK Government was accepted.
The motion was unanimously approved.
