A quick update on the campaign to allow Jobcentre Plus to give away food vouchers.
Gary Knott, who runs the excellent Harlow foodbank, first brought this to my attention. It seems madness that the Jobcentre Plus and the Harlow foodbank aren't allowed to work together.
That's why a few days ago in Parliament I asked the new Coalition Government if they would reverse this bureaucratic rule, because it was hurting the poorest families in Harlow the most.
There was a glimmer of hope when they agreed to look closely again at the rules, to see if anything could be done.
Watch the video above, or read the text:
Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Is the Minister aware of early-day motion 159, which is about jobcentres and foodbanks? Is he also aware that charities in my constituency, such as the excellent Harlow foodbank, have been stopped by Jobcentre Plus from giving out food vouchers to the unemployed because of regulations introduced by the previous Government? Does he agree that that is an example of Labour bureaucracy hurting the poor most, and will he take steps to reverse this policy as soon as possible?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Maria Miller): I thank my hon. Friend for raising that issue. Foodbanks have an important role to play in our local communities. It is important that we ensure that people who might benefit from the services that they offer know that they are available, and we will certainly be reviewing whether it is possible to highlight the availability of local foodbanks through Jobcentre Plus.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
Well said, Rob, and well done!
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