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Friday, August 15, 2014

Dundee Despair

There are “desperate” people living in impoverished conditions in Dundee — and they aren’t getting the “urgent help” they need. A reliance on foodbanks, lack of employment prospects and the rise of living costs were highlighted as some of the main concerns in Dundee.

In a survey, 53% said they didn’t believe enough was being done to fight poverty, with 48% feeling less positive about poverty in the future and 40% feeling “very concerned” about the issue. Over half — 61% — said they had cut back on spending since the recession, including on essentials such as food and clothing, with 19% saying they had no disposable income. A massive 70% of respondents to our survey believe that reliance on foodbanks is set to rise in the future. A total of 53% of respondents said drug abuse is getting worse in Dundee — the same number as those who believe more should be done about poverty. And nearly half (47%) felt that there is not enough support available. Thirteen per cent said they saw their future outwith the city.

Solicitor Peter Kinghorn, of Dundee North Law Centre, has noted a spike in clients being sanctioned by the Job Centre — driving them further into poverty. He said: “If people are sanctioned they can be left with no money for weeks, plunging them into poverty and forcing them to live on charity. “We have also seen a substantial increase in people being taken to court by debt collecting companies. Some of these debts are old Department of Work and Pensions debts, such as overpaid tax credits, child benefits and others. This is obviously having an impact on poverty, and we are seeing a large number of clients who are struggling to juggle everything — rent, bills, benefits and general living costs.”

Dave Morris, manager at Dundee Foodbank, said “While we see crisis cases where money has run out, it’s not a surprise that nearly two-thirds of respondents have cut back on spending — cost of living inflation rising faster than wage inflation will affect what people are able to buy, there are also issues around minimal pay and contract hours, which are affecting more people.

The operators of a Dundee foodbank expect to help 6,500 people this year, it has emerged. The fact the number of people relying on foodbanks is still projected to rise is cause for concern. 

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