A bid to declare Carlisle a Right to Food city have been supported by Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden.
The charity said it had seen an increase in people in need of support with access to food over the past year and express concerns about the cost of living increases including the removal of the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit, soaring energy prices and the impending increase to National Insurance.
The motion, which is due to be presented during Tuesday’s Carlisle City Council meeting, asks for the authority to create a legal right to good quality food for residents of Carlisle.
Research by the organisation End Child Poverty shows that 28 per cent of children – 4,469 – in Carlisle were living in poverty in 2019-20.
Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden attribute a rise in local poverty to the increase in living costs. It added that the removal of the £20 per week on Universal Credit affects 12,800 households across the Carlisle and Eden districts and the money contributed £10.4 million to the local economy.
Andy Auld, chief executive officer, said: “We are seeing people every day who tell us they need to choose between putting food on the table or heating the house this winter.
“There is a simple step the Government can take to help ease the costs of living hike and that is to reinstate the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit immediately.
“This winter is going to be tough for many. We are urging anyone experiencing difficult to get in touch with their local Citizens Advice to see what help is available.”
