 |
| Source: The London Economic |
Around 200 people stand in a queue at a soup kitchen in Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK), while the island nation in northwestern Europe experienced the harshest weather condition in 25 years.
Lining in a row, people had an intent of procuring emergency food packages in such sub-zero conditions. A picture with the individuals was shared by this food bank. Weather warnings had covered the headlines, informing the people about the freezing weather conditions, prevailing in several parts of the UK. This incident compelled the citizens to become critical of the government, and even blamed the latter for such a situation happening in the first place.
Kindness Homeless Street Team This team is a community initiative wherein the ones in need are supported. The latter includes the homeless, released lately from prison, the poor, the vulnerable and finally the ones who for any reasons need emotional support. Providing the needy with food, sanitary products, and emotional support on the street level, are some of the services of this community group. Besides, they display altruism by doing this on 4 evenings per week, further imparting support to approximately 150 people per outing. This meal centre was accountable for sharing the picture with 200 people in the queue, with the caption that read that every member of the group was happy to serve the needy in such a dire situation. The caption further read that the team was really working well with smiles on every member’s face. In an interview, the spokesperson from the Kindness Homeless Street Team said that the night of which the image was shared, the team gave support and services to about 220 people who were devoid of food resources. The spokesperson further assured that none of the vulnerable individuals went back with empty bellies. He finally claimed that the times were hard owing to which the number of the community group members increased, and this fact was not surprising for the former.
Increased Use of Meal Centers In the United Kingdom, food bank usage had surged since the pandemic. The reason for the same was clear that as unemployment continued to increase, a greater number of people were on the verge of reverting to such help centres, for even the basic resources including food. Data from the food bank charity of Trussell Trust displayed some huge numbers such as 1.2 million emergency food packages, which made around 2600 food packages for youngsters per day. Besides, it also reflected a 47% increase in the use of such soup kitchens during the pandemic. Moreover, according to some members of the charity group, this was just a piece of superficial information, there were and are many more facts and figures to discover.
The Stance of Various Leaders In a conversation with a media reporter, according to the head of Scotland at Trussell Trust, Prolly Jones, the volunteers and the members at such meal centres had been working day in and day out with the best of their abilities in such uncertain circumstances. She further added that during such hard times, the majority of people are on the brink of losing their respective job roles and have to also endure these added pandemic restrictions. Further by suggesting an intervention on the Scotland and United Kingdom’s part, by consequently increasing the investment of all the possible resources to ensure money and other essential necessities to the population’s share that needs it the most, the head ended the conversation. Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, blamed the Scottish government for such a scenario owing to the former’s incompetence to worry about those in direst needs. By being greatly critical, he even commented that the authorities failed in upholding the basic responsibilities of a government. Furthermore, he suggested that the focus of the higher-ups should be on exterminating the prevailing poverty.
Government’s Perspective A spokesperson of the Scottish government commented, since the civilians were experiencing hardships, the government had imparted around 0.5 billion euros to support the needy since the pandemic had hit. This plan included around 140 million euros solely targeted to solve the food insecurity issue. Besides, it consisted of 5 million euros targeted to help people facing homelessness, people who were facing the risk of bumpy sleeping. Furthermore, the spokesperson reassured the fact that 65 million euros have been invested to support such vulnerable groups in Glasgow alone. Moreover, the Scottish government was quite clear in bringing out its concern pertaining to the setbacks in the welfare system under the administration of the UK government. The spokesperson further added that it was truly essential on the part of the UK government to make indefinite the 20 euros uplift to the Universal credit. Further, ensuring its reach to the people. He also speculated that elimination of these criteria and such other acts aligned on the same lines would push 60000 Scottish people into a vulnerable condition that is a majorly poverty-like situation. In other words, it could be said that the removal of such a support-oriented approach meant removing vital support when it was required the most. Written by - Khushboo Dhuliya Edited by - Christeena George
|
Social