Executive parties silent on how they'd end food bank use after Stormont photo-op spree

Stormont’s governing parties have declined to say whether they support hiking benefits to tackle poverty – as politicians from across the Assembly signed a pledge this week to end the use of food banks.

Grinning MLAs signed off a commitment to phase out the charity schemes – but only the TUV has explained how it would like to see that done.

placeholder image — Timothy Gaston MLA says foodbanks should be ended by cutting taxes and getting people into work. Pic: X / Trussell Trust

Politicians of all hues posed for photos at Parliament Buildings as they signed a pledge by the Trussell Trust charity – who lobby for a raise in Universal Credit to make sure people aren’t going without essentials.

The poverty lobby group distributes millions of food parcels across the UK each year, and urges politicians to change the law to eradicate the need for them. They believe a key way to achieve this is by raising benefits.

Politicians from Sinn Fein, the DUP, UUP, Alliance and SDLP signed the pledge. It said: “I believe in a Northern Ireland where everyone is guaranteed the essentials: a warm, secure home and enough income to pay their bills, including food, with no one forced to rely on charitable food provision to survive. I pledge my support for ending the need for food banks in Northern Ireland”.

However, when those parties were asked if they supported a rise in Universal Credit to achieve that – a key objective of the Trussell Trust – none responded.

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston also signed the pledge – but has made clear he does not support a rise in benefits.

A TUV spokesman said: “Timothy Gaston has been a long term supporter of food banks and appreciates the valuable work which they perform. In fact, his office serves as a food bank collection point.

“Nothing in what Mr Gaston signed up to committed him to a rise in universal credit. The route to ending food banks is via a government with a plan to get people back to work and cuts taxes, not by providing more free money.”

The News Letter also asked all of the parties what policies they support to end the use of food banks in Northern Ireland. Only the TUV responded.

Trussell Trust wants coordinated action across the Executive, Assembly, local councils and community partners- to ensure everyone has enough income to afford essentials.