IDS wants to put DWP staff in Food Banks

Mersey_2

IDS has said he'd like to see DWP staff placed in food banks across the UK, to solve benefit problems.


A trial in Birkenhead was a success according to Frank Field MP.


The Trussell Trust has said its an interesting idea, but they'd need to be consultation with churches and so on, as food banks are currently staffed by volunteers in their buildings and they're not insured to have paid professionals on site.


A PCS rep said their staff could be vulnerable to attack in a food bank, whereas security are in place at JCPs.

Diary

Food banks are seen as a safe haven for people in desperate need because of DWP mistakes. These people don't need harassing there as well. Terrible idea.

tommix

I can imagine..

"You're one minute late hungry person..Sanction! No food for Three months!":cool:

Nick_C

Erm, surely the idea is make advice more readily available to people who need it? But of course opponents of the government will oppose anything they come up with, no matter how helpful it is meant to be.

It might be better coming from CABx though, as debt counselling is probably high on the list of needs for people visiting food banks. Social Security is a safety net designed to cover basic needs, but it is not designed to pay people's debts for them, and that is why many people are using food banks.

bloolagoon

Nick_C wrote: »

Erm, surely the idea is make advice more readily available to people who need it? But of course opponents of the government will oppose anything they come up with, no matter how helpful it is meant to be.

It might be better coming from CABx though, as debt counselling is probably high on the list of needs for people visiting food banks. Social Security is a safety net designed to cover basic needs, but it is not designed to pay people's debts for them, and that is why many people are using food banks.

Cab doesn't work as they don't have access to the system. You need staff that can look there and then and escalate and or make decisions and authorise payments.

However, given the hatred that this sensible approach has had from press and posters on here if I were a manager I wouldn't put my staff in danger.

tommix

Nick_C wrote: »

Erm, surely the idea is make advice more readily available to people who need it?

You'd think. But knowing IDS, I don't think he gives a toss about people in need of advice, or anything else for that matter.

Robbie64

The irony is that if IDS hadn't abolished Crisis Loans there would be less need for food banks.

TELLIT01

Are you sure IDS didn't mean that DWP staff will be in food banks because they will be using them? They'll be hit by the changes to Tax Credits like everybody else!

missapril75

bloolagoon wrote: »

Just as well he didn't the foodbanks did but don't let that stop you preventing a sensible policy because he agreed.

I find this a bit of a puzzle. I was always under the impression that there already was an element of verification of the user's circumstances. Surely they are there because they have exhausted other possibilities.

bloolagoon wrote: »

Cab doesn't work as they don't have access to the system. You need staff that can look there and then and escalate and or make decisions and authorise payments.

The problem there is if there is the power to make decisions then sometimes the decisions will be "no" and that's a recipe for a new problem.

I did a few years working in an advice centre. I had full access to benefits systems. The other staff who worked for other agencies and their service users all accepted I was on "their side" so to speak. I was an enabler. I was also in a position to confirm things so other services could be readily accessed. It was great.

The downside is what happens when someone comes in having said they've not had their (full) money or some such and you, as the DWP worker are asked to enquire, and you discover they had their usual £200 given to them two days ago.

This would be a far greater issue where someone is trying to access food in an immediate need. Misleading people - especially those not in a position to check - is disappointingly common.

tea-bag

Robbie64 wrote: »

The irony is that if IDS hadn't abolished Crisis Loans there would be less need for food banks.

However that will still be costing us money foodbanks do not.

I would love to know how many using foodbanks have iPhones and sky/internet at home and designer clothing. Alot of foodbank use is down to poor budgeting and wrong priories. I agree SOME will be experiencing hardship however this can sometimes be self inflicted eg. Not looking for a job or not attending appointments.

If putting people in place to monitor and get correct information is gathered I think that is great. It will only be the work-shy screamers making a fuss.

jobbingmusician

Mersey wrote: »

IDS has said he'd like to see DWP staff placed in food banks across the UK, to solve benefit problems.

I know IDS is trying to cut the DWP bill and is always trying to reduce staff numbers, but I don't think he should be encouraging cannibalism.