Jobcentre Plus And Foodbank

EDM number 159 in 2010-12, proposed by Robert Halfon on 07/06/2010.
Categorised under the topics of Benefits administration and Charities.

That this House congratulates foodbanks across the UK, in particular the hardworking volunteers of the Harlow foodbank; regrets the bureaucratic regulations brought in under the previous Government, which prevent Jobcentre Plus staff referring people directly to charities such as foodbanks; sympathises with the many thousands of people entitled to and waiting for benefits who have not been able to be referred directly to a foodbank by Jobcentre Plus, despite the fact that many struggle to feed themselves and their families; acknowledges that the system is broken and that delays in receiving benefits can cause serious problems for families on the breadline, if referral to charities such as foodbanks is not allowed; notes that according to figures provided by the Department for Work and Pensions 37,046 people waited 17 days or more for their jobseeker's allowance in January 2010 and 20,068 waited 22 days or more; further notes that these figures exclude the vast number of people whose benefits are delayed while being re-assessed; welcomes the Government's planned renewal and reform to the welfare system; and calls on the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to consider allowing Jobcentre Plus staff to issue foodbank vouchers so that local families in crisis get the support they need immediately rather than being referred to another agency thereby delaying the process.

This motion has been signed by a total of 16 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.