Foodbanks still heavily used

JIM McMAHON

THE high use of food banks shows residents still need help facing tough financial challenges, says Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon.

In the year to June, the Oldham Foodbank provided food for 3,716 adults and 1,620 children.

Councillor McMahon believes the figures highlight the need to continue support for vulnerable residents as family budgets continue to be squeezed.

“We knew we needed to step up and help local residents with the financial challenges so many are facing,” he said. “If you doubt that assistance is needed, the use of the foodbank shows the pips are already squeaking in many homes.

“New cuts in the Emergency Budget will mean our local economy will lose more than £58 million over the next four years. The worst-affected 2,000 families here will lose, on average, more than £3,800 a year.”

Andrew Barr of Oldham Foodbank said: “We continue to be needed by more and more families. The economic recovery hasn’t filtered through to a lot of the working people in the town.

“We are still seeing a lot of people struggling while they wait for their benefits to come through and when they do they are playing catch up.”