Changes to the benefit system including the roll out of Universal Credit are driving claimants into poverty as they wait five weeks for their first payment.
Research carried out by the Trussell Trust shows that in 2018 there was a 52% increase in food bank use in those areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out compared to 13% in those areas where it is yet to be introduced.
On their website the Trussell Trust describe the benefits system as an 'anchor' that prevents people being 'swept into poverty', going on to say that since the election of the coalition government in 2010 that is no longer the case.
Despite government promises that it would significantly reduce poverty Universal Credit has led to a rise in the number of people living below the poverty line, many of whom are in full time work.
The process of claiming Universal Credit has been problematic for many claimants, even when things go smoothly, they are obliged to wait five weeks for their first payment. Government attempts to alleviate the problems caused, by allowing claimants to apply for a 'loan' to see them through have proved inadequate.
On their website the Trussell Trust say, ' we're a country that prides itself on making g sure proper support is in place when help is needed, our benefits system was created to do exactly that, but universal credit is not the poverty fighting reform that was promised'.
North Staffs Green Party Campaigns Coordinator Adam Colclough said, ' as a volunteer for local charities I have seen numerous cases of people being driven into penury by Universal Credit'.
In their political program published in 2018 the Green Party pledged to replace the current unfair and complex benefits system with a Universal Basic Income and to tackle wage inequality.
Mr. Colclough said, ' as a party we are commuted to taking a stand on issues of social justice and for that reason we fully support the Trussell Trust in launching this campaign'.
The Trussell Trust have launched a campaign against the five-week wait under the hash tag #5WeeksTooLong and will be staging events throughout the coming year.
Monday 18 February 2019
Wednesday 13 February 2019
North Staffs Greens back pensioners fight against community bed closures.
North Staffs Green Party have given their support to a campaign led by the North Staffs Pensioners Convention to mount a legal challenge to plans to close beds in local community hospitals.
As part of its transformation plans the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for Staffordshire wants to reduce the number of beds at community hospitals across the region from 264 to 132.
Amongst the reasons cited by the CCG for overhauling how health and social care is delivered are changing health needs as people live longer, difficulty hiring and retaining staff and balancing its budget.
As part of the proposed new care model the CCG wants to deliver care services in the community that currently operate from hospitals through integrated care hubs across the region.
This will mean fewer beds are needed in community hospitals including those at Leek, Bradwell and the Heywood. Instead more patients will be cared for in their own homes.
There will also be an overhaul of consultant led out-patient clinics currently operating from Leek hospital and the Royal Staffordshire University Hospital.
The CCG is partway through a public consultation on its plans, this will run until 17th March.
The Pensioners Convention are part of the NHS Care for All group which brings together the campaigns to protect Leek and Bradwell hospitals, local political campaigners and other community organisations.
North Staffs Green Party Campaigns Coordinator Adam Colclough said, ‘it is vital that we protect beds at community hospitals because they provide a valuable resource in times of high demand and the staff at the sites affected deliver high quality care all year round’.
He added that ‘as a party we have questioned whether there will be enough staff available to care for patients in their own homes and have not received a convincing guarantee from the CCG leadership’.
A solicitor instructed by the Pensioners Convention has written to the CCG informing them of their intention to seek a judicial review. The group have launched a crowd funding campaign to raise the £4300 necessary to begin proceedings.
As part of its transformation plans the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for Staffordshire wants to reduce the number of beds at community hospitals across the region from 264 to 132.
Amongst the reasons cited by the CCG for overhauling how health and social care is delivered are changing health needs as people live longer, difficulty hiring and retaining staff and balancing its budget.
As part of the proposed new care model the CCG wants to deliver care services in the community that currently operate from hospitals through integrated care hubs across the region.
This will mean fewer beds are needed in community hospitals including those at Leek, Bradwell and the Heywood. Instead more patients will be cared for in their own homes.
There will also be an overhaul of consultant led out-patient clinics currently operating from Leek hospital and the Royal Staffordshire University Hospital.
The CCG is partway through a public consultation on its plans, this will run until 17th March.
The Pensioners Convention are part of the NHS Care for All group which brings together the campaigns to protect Leek and Bradwell hospitals, local political campaigners and other community organisations.
North Staffs Green Party Campaigns Coordinator Adam Colclough said, ‘it is vital that we protect beds at community hospitals because they provide a valuable resource in times of high demand and the staff at the sites affected deliver high quality care all year round’.
He added that ‘as a party we have questioned whether there will be enough staff available to care for patients in their own homes and have not received a convincing guarantee from the CCG leadership’.
A solicitor instructed by the Pensioners Convention has written to the CCG informing them of their intention to seek a judicial review. The group have launched a crowd funding campaign to raise the £4300 necessary to begin proceedings.
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