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Food Banks: What They Tell Us About Our Communities

Food banks are now part of everyday life

Over a decade ago there were a lot less food banks in the UK. There were only around 35 food banks provided by the Trussel Trust in 2010 there are now many more. oday there are more than 2,500 of them across the UK, and about 1,300 are part of the Trussell Trust network, such as Chipping Barnet Food Bank. Many others sit in schools, churches, or small charities that are not counted at all. It is clear that food poverty is a big problem for the UK.

Why did they grow so quickly?

After the 2008 financial crash, the UK faced many years of austerity. Benefits were cut, public wages were frozen, and living costs kept rising. In places like Barnet, where fewer workers earn the London Living Wage, families felt these changes even more.

Why did they grow so quickly?

Many people who use food banks now have jobs but still cannot cover rent, energy bills, and food. Inflation and high gas prices have pushed budgets past the breaking point.

Food banks are doing jobs they were never meant to do

“We see people sleeping on sofas, cars, even in sheds,” says Bob Bevil from Chipping Barnet Food Bank. Some clients cannot even open tins or cook. The food bank now help people prepare food when they don’t have the basic essentials to prepare a meal!

More than food: wrap‑around support

Visitors may leave with much more than a parcel: legal advice, mental‑health help, or a new job. Barnet’s BOOST programme, for example, has moved several clients into paid work in construction.

Councils act in very different ways

Since COVID‑19, Westminster has sent money (the Household Support Fund) to local councils. But, as Bob says, “It’s shared out in 33 different ways across 33 London boroughs.” There is no single standard, so help depends on your postcode.

Some councils go further. Brent and Hackney call themselves “Right to Food Boroughs.” This means they must think about food access before making decisions that might hurt it, something that could have saved Barnet’s hub.

Community campaigns push for change

At the Barnet Food Partnership Summit in November 2024, local groups asked the council to adopt the Right to Food and backed the “Ensure the Essentials” campaign. The aim is simple: every household should be able to meet basic needs with dignity.

The bigger ask

Bob and many others say food banks should not replace good policy. They want a seat at the table when councils and MPs talk about poverty. “We’re not just here to hand out parcels,” Bob says. “We need to fix the reasons people come to us in the first place.”

Key point: Food banks show that the system is broken. The real goal is to build a society where no one needs to queue for free food anymore.

If you are looking to really challenge your English then find the two foodbank related podcasts here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2393977

and here:

If this post resonated with you, please consider supporting Food banks and/or the Science Intersection which educates people on issues of health/social justice.

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Understanding Universal Basic Income (UBI): A Guide for English Learners

Introduction
Universal Basic Income (UBI) is a hot topic in discussions about poverty and financial security. But what exactly is it? And why do some people support it while others oppose it? In this article, we will break down the key points about UBI in simple English to help English learners understand the debate.

What is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?

UBI is a system where the government gives all citizens a fixed amount of money regularly. This money is given to everyone, no matter how much they earn, and there are no conditions for receiving it. The goal is to help people meet their basic needs, such as food, housing, and healthcare.

Some people argue that UBI could reduce poverty, give people more financial stability, and allow them to make better life choices. Others worry that giving free money might reduce motivation to work or be too expensive for governments to afford.

Services vs. Cash Payments

Some people argue that universal basic provision for services (like free healthcare and education) is better than simply give people money to spend as they choose.

Example: The NHS vs. Food Assistance

  • In the UK, healthcare is provided through the National Health Service (NHS). Instead of giving people money to pay for private healthcare, the government provides free medical services. This service works because it can be fairly easily tailored to people’s different health care needs.
  • However, for basic needs like food, people have different preferences and dietary needs. A universal food program wouldn’t work because not everyone eats the same things. It’s better to give people money so they can buy the food that suits them best.

This example shows that in some cases, services make more sense, while in other cases, cash payments are better.

Attitudes Towards Giving People Money

One of the biggest debates about UBI is how people will spend the money. Some critics believe that giving people free money will lead them to make bad decisions, such as spending it on alcohol or gambling instead of necessities.

This idea is based on the assumption that poor people make bad decisions because they are irresponsible. However, research shows that poverty itself can lead to poor decision-making.

Scarcity Mindset: The Effect of Poverty on Decisions

When people do not have enough money, they enter a scarcity mindset. This means they are always worried about short-term needs, like paying rent or buying food. Because of this stress, they may make less rational long-term decisions. For example:

  • A poor person may smoke more than a rich person, not because they are irresponsible, but because smoking offers immediate relief from stress.
  • They may play the lottery more often because they see it as a small chance to escape poverty.

This does not mean poor people are less intelligent. In fact, studies suggest that when people have financial security, they make better choices. UBI supporters argue that giving people a regular, reliable income could help them plan better for the future.

Is UBI an Alternative to Capitalism?

Some critics argue that UBI is just a way to keep the capitalist system working by making sure people have enough money to survive. Instead of UBI, they suggest changing the entire economic system.

However, others believe that UBI can improve capitalism by reducing extreme inequality and giving people more freedom to choose meaningful work. If people had financial security, they could:
✅ Choose jobs they enjoy rather than just jobs that pay the bills.
✅ Invest in education or training to improve their skills.
✅ Avoid bad working conditions because they would not be desperate for any job.

The debate continues, but UBI is seen as a potential way to create a fairer and more just society.

UBI in Real Life: Basic Income Trials

Many countries have experimented with UBI to see if it works. Some examples include:

  • Finland: A trial where unemployed people received basic income. Results showed they were happier, healthier, and less stressed, but job search activity did not increase significantly.
  • Wales (UK): A pilot program gives young people leaving the foster care system regular payments to help them start their adult lives.
  • Kenya: The charity GiveDirectly gives money to poor communities instead of providing aid. People used the money wisely to improve their lives.

These examples suggest that giving people money helps them make better long-term decisions rather than making them lazy.

Conclusion: Why UBI Matters

The UBI debate is about more than just money. It’s about how we view poverty and inequality. Many policies today assume that poor people lack intelligence or motivation, but research shows that poverty itself causes stress and bad decision-making.

UBI could be a way to give people financial security, allowing them to make better choices for themselves and their families. However, challenges like funding and political opposition remain.

As you continue improving your English, discussing topics like UBI will help you expand your vocabulary, improve your critical thinking, and engage in important global conversations!

Key Vocabulary from This Article

🔹 Universal Basic Income (UBI) – A system where all citizens receive a fixed amount of money regularly.
🔹 Scarcity mindset – A state of stress caused by lack of money, leading to short-term decision-making.
🔹 Financial security – Having enough money to cover basic needs without constant worry.
🔹 Capitalism – An economic system where businesses and individuals own resources and compete in markets.
🔹 Basic income trials – Experiments where governments or charities give people regular payments to test the effects of UBI.

Do you think UBI is a good idea? Share your thoughts

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Listen & Learn! 🎧📚

Want to improve your English while learning about Universal Basic Income (UBI)? You can listen to this discussion and hear the same ideas explained in natural spoken English!

🎙️ Listening helps with:
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