Some will say that poverty is inevitable, no matter what you do. Greens reject this. For us, poverty is political and its elimination will always be a top priority

My new report finds that, in just the last four years, Conservative ministers have overseen at least a 20% rise in foodbank dependency in my constituency alone*. Foodbanks are a lifeline to those in need across the South East but, at the same time, they continue to be a stain on the government’s record on poverty and inequality.

Low income was one of the single biggest reasons why people were forced to seek emergency food aid in 2017. In the UK, right now, there are seven million people from working households living below the poverty line. In fact, a record 60% of Britons in poverty are working.

A third of children are living below the poverty line, despite two-thirds of those children’s parents working. Despite low headline unemployment ﬁgures, insecure work and zero hour contracts are soaring while the growth of underemployment reveals the lie at the heart of the oﬀcial employment statistics.

Similarly, we have seen the number of rough sleepers increase 169% under the Tories while homelessness has soared. In the South East, there are now more than 27,000 people without a home. Poverty, homelessness and foodbank dependency are issues that are inexorably linked and have intensiﬁed in the last seven years. It is why, just as in 2013, foodbanks remain one of Britain’s few booming industries.

Some will say that poverty is inevitable, no matter what you do. Greens reject this. For us, poverty is political and its elimination will always be a top priority.

*If you are affected by any of the issues raised in the report, please see the details at the bottom of the email.

Escalating hunger in the South East: Foodbank use soars by at least 20% across the South East

In the last four years, foodbank dependency has risen by at least a 20% in the South East, according to a new report. Foodbanks are a lifeline to those in need but, at the same time, they continue to be a stain on the government’s record on poverty. Read the full report: bit.ly/E scalatingHunger2018

In Surrey, foodbank usage has rocketed by 123%—more than six times the regional average

ITV Meridian joined Keith during a visit to foodbank at St Matthew's Church in Redhill. Watch the full report.

Foodbank use increases 40% across Sussex

In East Sussex in 2013, 15,952 emergency food parcels were handed out, according to data from the Trussell Trust. Last year it was estimated to have been 24,018: an increase of more than 50%.

In West Sussex in 2013, 8,961 emergency food parcels were handed out; in 2017 it was 10,830: an increase of nearly 21%. Read The Argus report.

Are you able to offer any help to those enduring food poverty? Please click herefor more information.

Do you know where your local foodbank is and how to access it? Please click here.

Do you need housing and accommodation advice? Please click here.

Do you need free and confidential advice? Please contact your local Citizens' Advice Bureau.

If you would like to know more about the local advice services in your area, please do not hesitate to get in touch on contactkeith@greenmeps.org.uk

Working across the South East of England

To keep in touch with my constituents, I have a team of staff based in the UK:
Constituency Coordinator - Monika Baunach, email: keithtaylor@greenmeps.org.uk
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire - Karen Barass, email: karen@greenmeps.org.uk
Surrey and Sussex - Vicki Elcoate (Surrey lead), email vicki@greenmeps.org.uk and Phelim Mac Cafferty (Sussex lead), email phelim@greenmeps.org.uk
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - Eloise Shavelar, email eloise@greenmeps.org.uk

Copyright © 2018 Keith Taylor MEP, All rights reserved.
You asked to be sent information from the Green MEP for South East England, Keith Taylor.

Our mailing address is:

Keith Taylor MEP

Office of the Green MEPs

CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road

London, Eng N1 6AH

United Kingdom