The Big Winter Foodbank Collection

‘The Big Winter Foodbank Collection for the Universal Credit Crisis’ is a national demonstration organised by the People’s Assembly Against Austerity. Swindon People’s Assembly are playing what they see as a very necessary part in supporting those negatively affected by Universal Credit by collecting food for Swindonians in need and highlighting the widespread damage that the flaws in Universal Credit are causing.

The main problems that they have identified with Universal Credit are delays in payments, sanctions, rent arrears and identification problems and feel that these problems mean that many people are experiencing extraordinary lengths of time with no income. This is causing many serious problems to our people and communities.

In Swindon, as other parts of the country, the need for foodbank use is increasing, there are increasing numbers of homeless people, drug dealing / uptake is on the rise, there have been a spate of burglaries around town, a stabbing recently over drugs in the bus station…and on and on it goes, and it’s getting worse. So many problems could be fixed by addressing the core problems with Universal Credit.

Therefore Swindon People’s Assembly are driving a number of issue surrounding the changes such as urging that the problems of Universal Credit are fixed in areas, like Swindon, that have already implemented it and asking that the Government pauses the nationwide implementation of Universal Credit.

Details of how you can help are as follows…