The vast majority of YMCAs in England now have to send young people to food banks in order for them to be able to eat, last year referring in the region of 5,000 vulnerable young people.
New research conducted by YMCA England, titled “Food for thought”, shows this need to refer increasing numbers of young people to food banks is being driven by failings within the welfare system. Just under four in five (79%) of those YMCAs referring young people to foodbanks reported having to do so as a direct result of delays in receiving benefit payments and punitive sanctions.
The new report builds on YMCA England research from earlier this year, which found that 86% of young people who had been sanctioned, reported being forced to go without essential items as a result, with the highest proportion (84%) cutting back on or going without food.
Denise Hatton, chief executive, YMCA England said: “The Government cannot continue to put its head in the sand with regard to the problems which are driving more and more young people each year to depend on food parcels.
The welfare system was set up to protect and provide a safety net for those individuals in their time of need and so that no-one would be left without money to be able to afford food. However our evidence shows it is currently failing in this role.
Urgent action needs to be taken in order to protect the most vulnerable in our society and ensure that young people are given the support they need to provide for themselves. It is unacceptable in this day and age, that anyone should have to rely on the kindness of strangers in order to eat.”