Scotland and UK are very unequal societies. The divide between the rich and the poor is stark and deep seated. Years of austerity have impacted most on the low paid, the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
Years of pay cuts and freezes, benefits cuts and sanctions, the introduction of PIP, Universal Credit, the increase in the cost of gas, electricity, food and clothing has squeezed family budgets to the point where many parents cannot afford to feed themselves.
The choice of heating and eating is not a cliché – it is the harsh daily reality for too many families. Think of the heart-breaking indignity and embarrassment people feel when forced into this dilemma – a situation so expertly portrayed by Hayley Squires as Katie in Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake. A film that is such a damning indictment of an uncaring system.
In my area more and more people are being forced to use the West Lothian food bank organised by the Trussell Trust.
It sees 200 volunteers in 10 distribution centres providing emergency food to around 4,000 people every year. For these families the food bank really is the fourth emergency service. But for this organisation times are tough. Bills for their Whitburn distribution centre increased to the point of unaffordability.
They were forced to move to another makeshift site due to out growing the premises and lack of space. Demand for food grew to the extent that they need a new warehouse that swallows up monthly cash that could be spent on providing for more needy families. A local church has stepped in to help temporarily but this is not a long-term solution.
They need help.
This Christmas you can help this and other food banks provide for people in need. You can help families have a Christmas and New Year with a full belly. You can show your solidarity and compassion by donating through the Trussell Trust website www.trusselltrust.org, or search for your local foodbank and donate to them. You can find the West Lothian foodbank at westlothian.foodbank.org.uk
Neil Findlay is MSP for the Lothian Region
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