Food defines us in many and varied ways. Scotland’s relationship with fresh fruit and veg is a staple of stand-up comics on both sides of the border. Diet and exercise are the two key drivers behind what’s come to be known as ‘the Obesity epidemic.’ The Guardian newspaper’s Suzanne Moore describes food as ‘the ultimate class signifier’ in a well-thought-out article published on Wednesday 27th March.
Two new phenomena – one now well-established, and the other looming large – bring the impacts of Welfare Reform on people home in terms of the food available to some of the poorest people in the UK.
Foodbanks are – unfortunately – now well-established as a necessity for increasing numbers of poor people, whether in work or out of work.
Food stamps are emerging as a preferred option to cash payouts for people in financial distress seeking support from the successor arrangements to Crisis Grants and Loans. The City of Edinburgh Council, in administering the newly-formed Scottish Welfare Fund, intends to issue people in need with access to white goods, recycled furniture, and vouchers for food. Despite the concerns of some that this could stigmatise people receiving the vouchers, the administrators of the scheme assure us that these food vouchers will operate – in practice – no differently from ‘normal’ store cards or money-off vouchers. Experience from providing vouchers to people seeking asylum should inform the process so as to minimise negative impacts on those receiving the vouchers.
To discuss the issues raised by this blog and others associated with Welfare Reform, why not join us on Thursday 18th April at a ThinkSpace event: Welfare Reform – ‘A Right State?’
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