Town Hall backs Marcus Rashford’s campaign as councillors call for end to ‘social insecurity’

Hackney Council has joined a growing list of local authorities up and down the country in backing footballer Marcus Rashford’s free school meals campaign.

The news comes a day after the Town Hall passed a motion formally committing it to lobbying the government to “end the system of social insecurity” with a number of calls for investment into and reform of the welfare and benefits system.

A call from Labour in Parliament to make free school meals available in England over the holidays for the next six months was voted down by MPs on Wednesday, with the government pointing to £63m it had allocated for families struggling from the impact of lockdown and an increase of just over £9bn in welfare support.

Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, said: “I am appalled at the government’s failure to recognise the hardship that many families face this half-term following the inspirational campaign of Marcus Rashford.

“That’s why Hackney Council will step in where the government has stepped out.

“In one of the richest countries in the world, it’s simply unacceptable that any child should go hungry and we’re determined not to let that happen next week. Whether it’s through our helpline or their school, parents will get the support they need during the holidays.

“Ministers have had seven months to ensure a comprehensive package of help was in place for families struggling to make ends meet due to the impact of coronavirus. They have failed. They must act now to ensure that no family endures a Christmas with no food in the cupboards.”

Families whose child is normally eligible for free school meals and who are struggling this half-term will be able to contact the council’s Early Help team on 020 8356 3000 or 020 8356 2710 (out of hours).

Yesterday’s motion saw the council pledge to pressure the government to make permanent any temporary changes to benefits in light of the pandemic, as well as to abolish the benefits cap, the limiting of payments to two children, the bedroom tax, and the ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition for those subject to immigration control.

It will also push for the restoration of local housing allowance to 50 per cent of market rent and for the reform of Universal Credit.

Cllr Clare Potter, who proposed the motion, said: “Since 2011, the government has deliberately eroded the welfare state, to the extent that the average family on benefits is almost £3,000 worse off compared to a decade ago. The consequence of this here in Hackney is that half of all Hackney children live in poverty when you take housing costs into account.

“The consequences have impacted disproportionately on residents with disabilities, single parents, and households from Black ethnic groups who are much more likely to live in poverty. During the pandemic, the government acknowledged the failing welfare state by making temporary adjustments to benefits.

“To aspire to be a more inclusive and equal society we must address the failings of today’s welfare system. This motion is about changing the welfare system to it meets need and enables us all to live in a much fairer and inclusive society.”

Over a third of residents live in poverty after housing costs in Hackney, which has the third highest poverty rate in London. The borough is one of 10 areas in England and Wales where over one in five people live with problem debt, according to the Money Advice Service.

Potter’s motion went on to argue that as well as the misery experienced by thousands following cuts to welfare, welfare spend has not been reduced but the costs have been passed on to local authorities as a result of payments for temporary accommodation, discretionary pay-outs to for those needing extra help with housing and the levels of other financial support often needed by families.

Cllr Sharon Patrick, who seconded Potter’s motion, added: “I wonder what those returning from fighting in the Second World War would wonder why a Labour council would need to pass such a motion today on the system of ending social insecurity. Those who were promised by the Labour government a country fit for heroes and their families, a welfare state so that nobody was ever hungry or vulnerable again, would they believe 70 years later that a Tory government is trying to turn the clock back?

“We are seeing the slow death of welfare policies. We have massive food poverty in the country and in Hackney. During the pandemic, we are seeing a massive rise in food poverty, and we have seen the campaign from Marcus Rashford to tackle food poverty amongst children, but the government has refused to extend that scheme, saying that they are doing enough already through the benefit system for poor families and children.”

Having adopted the motion, the council is now warning that when the £20/wk uplift to Universal Credit ends, 700,000 people and 300,000 children will be worse-off as the country enters recession, pointing to a Child Poverty Action Group survey of low-income families showing eight in 10 reporting a “significant deterioration” in living standards as a result of the pandemic.

Not all councillors supported Potter’s motion, with Conservative Cllr Harvey Odze saying: “When my father came to this country having fought at Monte Cassino, he would not now recognise this country, the improvement in the conditions that people have these days.

“I’m not saying anything is perfect. I oppose this motion for the simple reason that it does not address both sides. It is a Gordon Brown motion – spend, spend, spend and ignore the consequences. I agree that there are things that need to be changed, that poverty is unacceptable, and that we have to do whatever we can to support people, but that support has to be paid for somehow.”

You can find more information and advice from Hackney Council on financial support here