11-05-2025
Foodbank chief appeals for help and claims Labour government failing to tackle poverty
The foodbank in Glasgow fears closure as more people struggle with the rising cost of living.
A foodbank chief who fears running out of funding believes the current Labour government is doing nothing to help people out of poverty.
Nick Hopkins, chairman at Glasgow South West Foodbank, said the cost of living crisis is forcing more people to use his service yet donations are running out.
The former Labour member said he doesn't believe Keir Starmer's government will be able to turn the tide on poverty.
Hopkins said: 'My honest view is that it will be the next Labour government after this one that makes a full frontal assault on poverty because I'm not sure it's happening from this government at all.'
Labour suffered a gruelling result in the recent local elections in England, losing out in most cases to Nigel Farage's Reform party with an overall loss of 188 seats.
Hopkins said organisations like his are struggling in the current climate as more people turn to them for help.
He said: 'People are really already stretched and then something will happen in just one month - they'll get a bill that's that bit bigger or benefits will stop or be reduced.
'That's all it takes to push people into needing us. Budgets are being stretched tight and then suddenly snap.
'This financial year we're expecting it to be busier than last, there is no doubt about that. There's been a slow and steady increase since the pandemic.'
The Glasgow South West foodbank provides almost 6,000 meals a month to local residents with the equivalent of just 2.2 full time employees.
While the number of visitors are rising, donations are falling.
Nick said there was a real chance the foodbank could have to close due to a lack of funding and donations and is now appealing for help.
He said: 'We have funding proposals submitted but there is no guarantee they'll be accepted. If they don't come through, all options will be on the table and difficult decisions will have to be made.
'We will always take donations of food, but it would be fantastic to get donations of cash.
'If we could bring in even £10,000 to £15,000 that would be a massive help and it would get us to the point we had hoped to be at the end of the last financial year.
'Around 70 per cent of what we hand out comes in as direct donation of food.
'The remainder we buy, and having the money to buy is really important because we can fill in the gaps.
'We buy items like milk, fresh bread, eggs and cheese as those have to be kept fresh and refrigerated so we can't really take donations of them but they're a really important part of the diet.'
Hopkins said that while both the Scottish and Westminster governments have implemented policies in an effort to improve poverty levels, an estimated £21 billion would be needed to really turn the tide.
He said: 'My sense is that no one is finding £21 billion.
'Even if we have wonderful economic growth, I don't see any government finding that sort of money.
'It is a failure that we're here, that foodbanks are needed. But I'm 52 now, and I fully expect when I'm 65 or 70 for the organisation that I helped to set up still to be here.'
For information on how to donate to the Glasgow South West foodbank visit
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