18,378! That’s how many people signed the End Hunger UK petition to ask Prime Minister Theresa May to ‘fix Universal Credit’ – and members of Soroptimist International of Bridgend were among that number.
The petition which was produced by End Hunger UK seeks to tackle food poverty in the UK claiming that everyone should have access to good food and nobody should have to go to bed hungry. Evidence from front-line food aid providers across the UK reveals that the roll-out of Universal Credit is currently causing hardship for vulnerable people and putting pressure on emergency food supplies.
Members of Bridgend Soroptimists came across the petition when they were supporting their local Foodbanks run by The Trussell Trust. Bridgend Soroptimist Club President Helen Murdoch said, “Local Foodbanks have been telling us about people who have found themselves in debt or food poverty as a result of Universal Credit. People who have never been in debt before and who have never needed a Foodbank before are struggling to stay afloat and are increasingly anxious. At the same time, organisations such as the Foodbank are under pressure and unsure how they can meet the rising demand.”
“Our members were keen to support this petition first of all to raise awareness and also to highlight the issues. We hope that this sort of constant pressure will lead to real change.”
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