{"id":1149,"date":"2023-03-01T10:37:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T10:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/?p=1149"},"modified":"2023-05-02T10:39:38","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T10:39:38","slug":"food-banks-a-cost-of-living-crisis-issue-or-is-it-partially-a-lifestyle-choice-and-a-benefit-system-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/food-banks-a-cost-of-living-crisis-issue-or-is-it-partially-a-lifestyle-choice-and-a-benefit-system-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Banks: A Cost of Living Crisis issue, or is it partially a lifestyle choice and a benefit system problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Paul E. L. T. Borrow-Longain\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the cost of living crisis continuing to have an impact on the lives of individuals and families across the United Kingdom, I wish to discuss a few aspects of the current situation which appear to be ignored or poorly understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As inflation has again increased in the second half of March, when the Bank of England and others had perhaps expected a further decrease, following the trend of the last few months, we have seen the use of food banks increase across the United Kingdom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the BBC, data was collected on the use of food banks between April 2021 and March 2022. Respondents were asked if they had used a food bank in the last 12 months and last 30 days. Therefore the results cover the final months of the Covid-19 restrictions. They do not, however, take in  most of the current energy price increases, which initially started in April 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the respondents asked if they had used a food bank within the last 30 days, on a nationwide basis approximately 1% of families (at least 600,000 people) indicated that they had, with the percentage increasing to 3% for families on benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This percentage increased significantly to 4% of families in Scotland and the north of England, who indicated that they had used a food bank within the 12-month period, compared to 25% fewer in Wales, the West Midlands and the south-east of England, each reporting approximately 3%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A further marked reduction was reported for Northern Ireland, the east of England, East Midlands and south-west of England, each of which reported approximately 2% of families having used the services of a food bank during the same time frame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is therefore self-evident that the probability of using food banks is partially determined by the country or region of the United Kingdom in which one resides. The media, at least in certain quarters, appear driven to continually reinforce the traditional north\/south divide, and seek to stoke socio-economic arguments in parts of the UK seen as poorer than others. Though is the impact of the cost of living crisis exclusively dependent on geography? Evidence from the study suggests that this is not the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Approximately 10% of households where the head of the household was aged between 16 and 24 had used a food bank in the last 12 months of being surveyed, while no other age demographic reported a population use above 4%. Therefore a disproportionate number of those affected are the younger members of our society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the cost of living crisis affecting everyone equally?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to first present a two-part hypothesis, firstly that the homes of individuals and families who perhaps can be safely described as \u201cthose less fortunate in our society\u201d are likely to be those with less efficient insulation. This instantly leads to these individuals suffering from increased energy wastage – therefore increasing their energy costs. Secondly, that this exact same demographic are potentially households who have a higher probability of being on prepayment meters for electricity and gas. Prepayment meters are traditionally more expensive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it is clear that poorer individuals, living in the poorer regions of the United Kingdom, are already in the position of suffering the most due in no small part to a situation outside their control – namely the quality of housing and being forced to purchase energy at higher than average rates. This is a problem facing all age demographics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

. . So, the answer to the question posed at the head of this section is clearly \u201cNo\u201d, as the poorer members of our society are suffering more, a fact that should be clearly apparent to all.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there an age demographic issue? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all age demographics, within the aforementioned hypothesis, is the probability of suffering the same or is there a bias towards one of more groups, based upon their age? I would argue there is a negative bias towards the under 25 year olds. This is because, and based upon all other variables being equal, their benefit payments, via Universal Credit, is lower based upon their age. Therefore a group of British Subjects, already struggling, are further penalised based upon their age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all things being equal, why does a 25-year-old require more money than a 24-year-old? I would propose that they don’t, and would be interested in comprehending the logic behind this decision within the Department for Work & Pensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer, once again, to the question at the  head of this section is  yes! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is the cost of living crisis exclusively driving the use of food banks, as the media seems to suggest? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we acknowledge the fact that the cost of living crisis is affecting different groups, differently – driving them to their local food banks, are there small decisions that individuals can make that can reduce the pressure on the food banks of the United Kingdom? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The simple answer is yes. It comes down to life choices, which are (at least in theory) under the direct control of the individuals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based upon my own observation of food bank users, it is clear to me that some users are perhaps using this critical service when it is not strictly necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have seen first-hand individuals lined up to enter food banks who have been holding a hot beverage from one of the country’s well-known (and arguably expensive) coffee houses. Likewise, I’ve observed large numbers of people smoking, and even service users who enjoy food and beverage from well-known, and generally cost-effective, pub chains – on the same day as using the food bank. This suggests that these individuals could make a few life choices, potentially significantly increasing their cash on hand, allowing them to stop or at the very least decrease their reliance on food banks, while simultaneously improving their health.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, ne cup of regular coffee (flat white) at a well-known coffee house – \u00a33.45. Price of a jar of coffee (200g) at a well known supermarket – \u00a32.75. A 70 pence saving, and generating approximately 100 cups of coffee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pack of cigarettes costs approximately \u00a315, and let us assume that they smoke 4 packs a week, equating to approximately \u00a360 per week, \u00a3240 per month. In comparison, my monthly food bill is in the order of \u00a3150. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will happily accept the argument that stopping smoking is not easy, is often a long process, and therefore cannot be done overnight. My point however remains that life choices can make a very significant impact.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is – no. It’s also driven by life choices. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has the cost of living support been delivered in a biased way based upon age?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To complicate the situation further, it is a well-known fact that individuals in a tough spot are perhaps not best placed to make the best decisions. Especially when they feel that the \u201csituation and system is against them\u201d. Is this a fair conclusion for people to make?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have already shown that individuals in certain (younger) age demographics are penalised based upon age. Alas, the reverse is true for the older age demographic (retired individuals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are older than approximately 68 you automatically get the Winter Fuel Payment, independent of your wealth. This payment was significantly increased, in percentage terms, again independent of wealth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my own observations of food bank users, I didn’t observe too many people who outwardly appeared to be retired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of the reason will be they have had a lifetime to save and invest, and benefit from State (and perhaps other pensions), though they have also benefited from non-means-tested additional funds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is yes! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can Social Security Reform reduce food bank use?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Security and the benefits system is critically important and should be the foundation of every civilised society. One of the most important jobs of government, and of society in general, is to protect those in need of assistance. The United Kingdom has a reputation globally as having one of the best benefits systems on the face of the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any attempt to change the system is going to result in backlash from various pressure groups, and I wholeheartedly believe such issues can win or lose an election for any political party. A simple analysis highlights the largest bloc of voters (based upon percentage of the demographic who vote) is 75+, with the second-largest bloc being 65-74.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, which party is brave enough to attempt social security reform, by implementing changes that potentially moves financial resources away from these two blocs? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reform of the social security system is a topic far too complex than this short opinion piece allows. However, I would propose one key change that had the potential to improve people’s lives and that is, apart from the State Pension, all other benefits should become means-tested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer is – yes. I would suggest that if all support during the cost of living crisis was means tested, use and reliance on food banks could be drastically reduced. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The need for the existence of food banks in first-world nations, such as the United Kingdom, is a national embarrassment. However, they are doing a critically important job because of the decisions we as a nation and as individuals are making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a nation we should empower individuals with the knowledge, moral support, and in times of distress financial support, so food banks don’t need to exist. We must give everyone the ability to feed themselves and their families, which in turn improves health, decreases pressure on health services, creates jobs, and increases tax revenues, which (amongst other things) increases funds to help protect the most vulnerable in our society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Paul E. L. T. Borrow-Longain\u00a0 With the cost of living crisis continuing to have an impact on the lives of individuals and families across the United Kingdom, I wish to discuss a few aspects of the current situation which appear to be ignored or poorly understood. As inflation has again increased in the second […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opinions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1149"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1150,"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1149\/revisions\/1150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.farnes.net\/paul\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}