Why placing DWP staff in foodbanks is a bad idea | Ekklesia

Last Updated: November 2, 2015By

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Foodbanks are often where people go when the DWP has failed them. Often having been humiliated, degraded and made fearful by their experiences at the Jobcentre, they find at the foodbank a compassionate approach which treats them as valued human beings, no matter what their economic status.  This is particularly valuable for people with mental health problems.

So the idea of placing DWP staff in foodbanks, as Iain Duncan Smith is very keen to do, seems a bad idea for several reasons. It could deter people who have been sanctioned or feel under pressure from the DWP from visiting a foodbank. It is in danger of integrating foodbanks so that they become an established part of the welfare state, bestowing acceptability on to a level of benefits that leave people unable to buy adequate food. If foodbanks become closely associated with the DWP and are seen to be working hand in hand with it, it could be seen as an acceptance of government policy.

Source: Placing DWP staff in foodbanks | Welcome to Ekklesia | Welcome to Ekklesia

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8 Comments

  1. NMac November 2, 2015 at 8:51 am - Reply

    I’m glad it isn’t just me who is suspicious that Duncan-Smith’s idea of placing his staff in Food Banks is going to be done for dark and sinister reasons.

  2. A-Brightfuture November 2, 2015 at 9:49 am - Reply

    Give it a while, and IDS will say that this is a roaring success as fewer people will be attending foodbanks because they have found jobs.
    Where in reality, people will be too frightened to face the DWP again. Shoplifting is going to go through the roof, as is going round bins

    Foodbanks are this governments dirty little secret proving that their policies are not working, so the DWP will go to any lengths to reduce their usage.

    This a going to be a real “Freddy Kruger” moment for some people stepping into a foodbank from being hounded at the jobcentre.

    The DWP have no right to interfere with charity work.
    Unless a big brown envelope was passed over the table as a bribe.

  3. Chris Tandy November 2, 2015 at 10:10 am - Reply

    If the DWP snoops designated to loiter around food-banks and harass people, get a little bored, perhaps they will just roam around the high streets with dubious authority to stop and question anybody, asking them why they are not at work….
    ….thus a private police-force will be created.

  4. John Gaines November 2, 2015 at 10:47 am - Reply

    All a part of the Welfare Begging Corporate Strategy, Lie, Lie and Lie, the worse they make it for us, the more they Lie.

    *********************************************************

    It has been a memorable year for the City, with milestones seemingly being met every week.

    In the last few months alone we’ve reported on some impressive trends and grounds for celebration.

    Financial services are (powering a jobs boom), with employment in the City at an all time high.
    Well, well, are they indeed, so when can we take them off the lifeline of the begging Bowl, without QE (TAXPAYERS’ FREE MONEY) they would all be in the same Boat as Sunderland..broke and JOBLESS.
    Get out of it you City crook failures, go swindle somewhere else,,as y’all keep tellling us you will….go, go, go, not ruddy likely.
    http://www.cityam.com/227792/celebrating-the-best-of-the-business-world

    • Mike Sivier November 2, 2015 at 11:12 am - Reply

      I’m not sure I see the connection.

  5. Mervyn Hyde (@mjh0421) November 2, 2015 at 12:29 pm - Reply

    Funny how they can find money to fund snoopers but have no money for real public services.

  6. karon November 2, 2015 at 7:14 pm - Reply

    I think this is a very bad decision the DWP poking there nosy in the food banks , they would have by now if your visiting a food bank stopped all your benefit and then monitoring your food in take ,
    MRS BROWN your eating to many carbs this is why your over weight, and not working.
    You have had two tins of beans already this week,
    What you don’t eat meat Mrs Brown ,
    The list will be endless, they are wanting to get involved with the food bank for a more sinister reason, control, getting ready even for food vouchers when there is no more money for claimant only food vouchers where they will control us more with what we eat and where they think our money should be spent , after all they state in the social security act that your entitlement that the government give you is enough for you to live on anything less will put you in poverty, and that’s exactly what they are doing

  7. Aelfy November 3, 2015 at 12:03 pm - Reply

    They will probably take your details and take the cost of your food out of your benefits. Which incidentally are supposed to be the minimum of what you are expected to survive on!!!

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