Families will be plunged into poverty

THERE are fears that families living on the breadline in Yeovil and South Somerset could be plunged into poverty with personal finances being squeezed even further over the coming months.

Some people are already finding things tough and are being referred to organisations like the Lord’s Larder scheme - such as those found in Yeovil and Chard - which provides basic shopping supplies for those who are unable to afford it.

And South Somerset District Council is worried that the introduction of the Universal Credit System later this year will leave more and more people without money for food.

Council leader, Cllr Ric Pallister, said the authority’s dedicated team of welfare officers were already hearing ‘shocking’ stories of people struggling.

But he added: ‘’What we’ve seen so far are one-offs, but these will become more common.’’

Instead of people on benefits receiving payments from various agencies over the month they will receive just one cheque, and council bosses fear some families will not be able to budget, which could plunge them into problems.

PHOTO: Council leader, Cllr Ric Pallister, right, believes more and more families could struggle to cope as pressure on finances grow.

Cllr Pallister said the demand on schemes such as the Lord's Larder, which help provide basic shopping for people who are struggling to make ends meet, was growing.

The number of people wanting help will increase because of the Universal Credits,” he said.

“You'd normally think of high social deprivation areas such as in Yeovil or Chard wanting help, but people from all parts of the district will want support.

“You’d think we were entering the Third World with the demand on food banks growing, but that's going to happen the more people are going to be squeezed for money.”

Introduction of Universal Credits in the autumn, plus changes to council tax, where everyone will pay something, and the implementation of a bedroom tax will increase the pressure on people already on the breadline.

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