• Our Values
  • Support us
  • Countries ▼
    • UK
    • US
    • Global
  • Sections ▼
    • Trending
    • Exclusive
    • Investigation
    • Opinion
    • Feature
    • Off The Perch (Satire)
    • Cartoons
    • Podcast
    • Review
  • Topics ▼
    • Science
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Outing The Past
The Canary
The Canary
  • Our Values
  • Support us
  • Countries ▼
    • UK
    • US
    • Global
  • Sections ▼
    • Trending
    • Exclusive
    • Investigation
    • Opinion
    • Feature
    • Off The Perch (Satire)
    • Cartoons
    • Podcast
    • Review
  • Topics ▼
    • Science
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Outing The Past
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • RSS
Home
UK

A woman using food banks breaks down on live TV: ‘I need to let the nation know what it’s like’

April 25th, 2017 James Wright James Wright UK

Spread the word:

Facebook Twitter
A woman using food banks breaks down on live TV: ‘I need to let the nation know what it’s like’UK

Tracey Culham broke down on national television on 25 April. Speaking about using food banks on Victoria Derbyshire, she said “I need to let the nation know what it’s like”:

"It's degrading, especially when you've worked all your life"

Tracey had to use food banks because her Universal Credit was delayed. pic.twitter.com/kb6b4osTBg

— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) April 25, 2017

Culham said using food banks is “the most degrading thing”, especially when “you’ve worked all your life”. Her intervention on national television is a glimpse of the reality for many under the Conservative austerity programme.

Food poverty has skyrocketed under the Conservatives

The Conservative government is directly responsible for pushing ordinary people into food poverty. The number of three-day food packages sent out by the Trussell Trust alone increased from 40,898 to 1,182,954 between 2010 and 2016-17. That’s a record-breaking increase of 2,792% since the Conservatives came to power.

But it’s worse than that. A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hunger estimates that over half the emergency food issued comes from organisations independent from the Trussell Trust’s figures. This means the real numbers are much higher.

The government tries to downplay the connection between its policies and food bank use, saying that it’s “complex”. But, as common sense suggests, an Oxford University study confirms a “robust link” between the stripping down of the welfare state and food bank use.

Recently, the government’s flagship welfare overhaul to Universal Credit has only added to the chaos, leading to an even greater spike in food bank use.

And the public spending cuts are only deepening under May’s premiership. Her Chancellor, Philip Hammond, recommitted to austerity in his budget speech [10:20]. The worst of that austerity is coming through under May, with cuts of £51.4bn between 2015 and 2019.

A breakdown of the top reasons for food banks

The Trussell Trust also produced a breakdown of the top reasons people are using food banks:

Responding to the chart, Jeremy Corbyn said:

Number one cause of people using foodbanks is low-income. Labour’s real Living Wage of £10/hour will eradicate poverty wages

Labour is also committed to ending austerity and transitioning to an investment-based economy. The impact of such an economic approach would go beyond helping vulnerable people like Culham. The returns on investment would bring down public debt and facilitate economic activity. But on top of that, the new economy would be civilised. People wouldn’t be breaking down over a lack of food on live television.

Get Involved!

– Register to vote in the 8 June general election. People can call 0300 200 3500 if they don’t already have a national insurance number.

– Discuss the key policy issues with family members, colleagues and neighbours. And organise! Join (and participate in the activities of) a union, an activist group, and/or a political party.

– Also read more Canary articles on the 2017 general election.

Featured image via Twitter screenshot

Become a Canary member to support fearless independent journalism

Support The Canary with a monthly donation

  • Tags
  • austerity
  • Conservatives
  • food banks
  • General Election 2017
  • Labour
  • Victoria Derbyshire

Spread the word:

Facebook Twitter
Next article The Tories have been caught using fake BBC news to smear Corbyn [VIDEO]
Previous article A mystery artist has created the most honest Tory campaign picture yet, and it's going viral [IMAGE]

Related Articles

Young girl shows anti-princess power by challenging sexist stereotypes at school Global

Young girl shows anti-princess power by challenging sexist stereotypes at school

A trade union just made a bit of a commotion right outside PMQs Trending

A trade union just made a bit of a commotion right outside PMQs

Despite what the DWP says, the reality of Universal Credit is ruining lives Analysis

Despite what the DWP says, the reality of Universal Credit is ruining lives

A Conservative MP says homelessness is 'appealing'. Sky News makes him eat his lousy words. Trending

A Conservative MP says homelessness is 'appealing'. Sky News makes him eat his lousy words.

Homelessness is almost 10 times worse than government figures suggest, says charity News

Homelessness is almost 10 times worse than government figures suggest, says charity

The press regulator just ruled that a story by The Times was essentially b*llocks Analysis

The press regulator just ruled that a story by The Times was essentially b*llocks

A controversial Labour council has just seen one of its key pledges exposed as hot air UK

A controversial Labour council has just seen one of its key pledges exposed as hot air

Revealed: Glasgow City Council's links to a 'Trident showcase' arms event Exclusive

Revealed: Glasgow City Council's links to a 'Trident showcase' arms event

Labour MP David Lammy smashes the racist backlash to the Windrush crisis Global

Labour MP David Lammy smashes the racist backlash to the Windrush crisis

Facebook Comments

STAY CONNECTED

The Canary

THE LATEST HEADLINES

Young girl shows anti-princess power by challenging sexist stereotypes at school

Young girl shows anti-princess power by challenging sexist stereotypes at school

A trade union just made a bit of a commotion right outside PMQs

A trade union just made a bit of a commotion right outside PMQs

Despite what the DWP says, the reality of Universal Credit is ruining lives

Despite what the DWP says, the reality of Universal Credit is ruining lives

A Conservative MP says homelessness is 'appealing'. Sky News makes him eat his lousy words.

A Conservative MP says homelessness is 'appealing'. Sky News makes him eat his lousy words.

Homelessness is almost 10 times worse than government figures suggest, says charity

Homelessness is almost 10 times worse than government figures suggest, says charity

and DON’T MISS These stories

The death of more civilians in air strikes sums up why the West needs a serious foreign policy rethink

The death of more civilians in air strikes sums up why the West needs a serious foreign policy rethink

This is the sickening gift the Tories gave to students for A-level results day

This is the sickening gift the Tories gave to students for A-level results day

Veteran MP Dennis Skinner's response to anti-Corbyn coup was priceless (VIDEO)

Veteran MP Dennis Skinner's response to anti-Corbyn coup was priceless (VIDEO)

This initiative could truly transform the way GPs treat patients in deprived areas

This initiative could truly transform the way GPs treat patients in deprived areas

Women are standing together to show solidarity against the burkini ban, and it's utterly inspiring [VIDEO]

Women are standing together to show solidarity against the burkini ban, and it's utterly inspiring [VIDEO]

  • Our Values
  • Membership
  • The Team
  • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Corrections & Complaints
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Back to top

The Canary

Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism

  • Our Values
  • Membership
  • The Team
  • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Corrections & Complaints
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
Website hosted by: Krystal Website Hosting
© Canary Media Limited 2015-18. All rights reserved.
Canary Media Ltd, PO Box 3301, Bristol, BS5 5GD. Registered in England. Company registration number 09788095. Email: hello(at)thecanary.co