Union activists set up a food bank outside Parliament today to remind the Con-Dem government that its policies are forcing a huge rise in the number of people turning to them.
Food banks have trebled in number since 2009 with over 300 outlets and Unite predicts more than 260,000 people will be forced to use them this year due to welfare reforms and low income.
The government confirmed on Monday it is to investigate the massive rise in food bank dependency across Britain.
In response Unite set up its own to draw attention to the government's destructive welfare reforms, which come into force from April and will force even greater numbers to rely on food parcels.
And Unite warns that April's welfare changes will dramatically hit the working poor, not just those on benefits.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies predicts that as many as 7 million working households will be hit by the uprating cap, by an average of £165 per year.
Unite's own polling has revealed that among those in work and relying on benefits, food will be among the chief items cut back when the April changes impact.
The union is demanding MPs and peers to back changes to the Welfare Uprating Bill being proposed by the union and charities including Shelter and Child Poverty Action Group.
"These welfare changes are a regressive, mean-minded attack on the most vulnerable in our society - children, the disabled, lone parents," said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.
"They are the product of a nasty ideology from a failed government and will set our country back to sadder times."
MPs and Unite community members also attended the food bank.
Labour MP Ian Lavery told the Star: "This is 2013 and food banks are opening up all over the country. They are a sign of austerity.
"Britain is one of the richest countries in the world and it's a scandal that working people cannot afford to put food on the table to feed their families."
Unite community member Wade Ludford and community coordinator Pilgrim Tucker said that if the government provided for more decent, well-paid jobs then there would not be any need for food banks.
Ms Tucker added: "Food banks are a symptom of austerity and failed economic policies."
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond believes himself vindicated by the High Court ruling that his Iraq Historic Allegations Team (IHAT) is independent.
A look at the causes and possible outcomes of Silvio Berlusconi and his right-wing coalition's lead in the polls.
Attacks such as yesterday's horrific murder in Woolwich didn't happen before the 'war on terror.' It's time we recognised the consequences of the conflicts we've unleashed
Printable
Email