Families in Barnsley and across the country are struggling under the strain of poverty and food insecurity.

90% of foodbanks have reported an increase in demand, and providers are worried that if demand continues to rise, they might have to cut support, or even turn people away.

Barnsley Foodbank has reported a 46% increase in children needing food parcels. A further reduction in support available would be disastrous for them.

Children in the north of England are more likely to be in poverty than the rest of England, and 20,798 households in Barnsley are fuel poor.

In Yorkshire and the Humber, child poverty is at the highest it has been since 2001.

Regional inequalities in poverty like these are more likely to have detrimental impacts on children’s mental and physical health, education, and prospects of moving out of poverty in the future.

The Trussell Trust have raised concerns about people falling into chronic destitution.

Families who were struggling before the cost-of-living crisis are unable to cut costs any more than they already have.

People with no previous police records are being caught stealing food and other essentials.

Others are self- disconnecting from prepayment meters, having no choice but to risk their health as they are unable to pay for heating.

Charities and local groups do incredible work to support their communities. But this isn’t their mess to fix.

The Labour Party know that to reduce food poverty, we need to reduce overall poverty rates.

That is why we will reform our health and social security system, supporting those who are unemployed or have been on long-term sick leave back into work, rather than punishing them.

Labour would:

• Devolve employment support to local authorities to target the best routes into work
• Tailor extra support for flexible working for those with caring responsibilities or chronic conditions
• Offer ‘in principle’ decisions for access-to-work funding for disabled people
• Change the work capability assessment regime to allow people to accept a job, without the fear that they will not be able to return to the benefits they were on if this employment ends.

The Conservatives have had a chance to rectify their mistakes. They have failed, and people across the country are suffering for it.

It’s time to build a better Britain. It’s time for a Labour Government.