The North West relies on foodbanks more than anywhere else in the UK
Local charities and organisations are now warning that foodbank usage in the region could "spiral out of control" without sufficient government support.
A number of local charities and organisations are warning that foodbank usage in the North West could “spiral out of control” as it’s revealed that the region tops the list for demand.
The stark warnings come as the number of families with children needing support from foodbanks continues to rise across the North West – with the region claiming four of the areas with the highest number of children living in poverty – and after statistics released by leading foodbank charity The Trussell Trust revealed that it gave out more food parcels within the region than anywhere else in the UK in 2020.
The warnings also come as predictions claim that more than five million children will be living in deprivation by the end of 2021.
On top of that, according to a report by the Food Foundation, 2.3 million children live in households that have experienced food insecurity in the past sixth months, and 4.7 million adults across the UK now experience food insecurity, which is higher than the levels before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic hit.
Today we launch a report revealing how the pandemic’s effect on household food insecurity remains at crisis levels⚠️
— The Food Foundation (@Food_Foundation) March 1, 2021
As of March 2021, there are currently 105 foodbanks active across the North West.
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This latter figure does not however include food parcels that are provided by schools, local authorities or other independent providers, which is why more and more Greater Manchester charities and initiatives say they are having to step in to help families in need and are now calling on the government to introduce a National Poverty Strategy to provide support before the situation “spirals out of control”.
He told ITV Granada: “We urgently need some increases in the support people get through the Benefit System, we’ve got to retain the £20 Universal Credit uplift that was introduced at the start of the pandemic, but that’s just the very first step.
“We need to see increases in Child Benefit and other payments that are targeted at children in families so that all children in this country can live a life that is free from poverty.”
Manzoor Ali – who founded the Chorlton-based foodbank provider Barakah Food Aid over 11 years ago – told ITV Granada of how he has heard tragic stories of young children in the Greater Manchester area having to lick sugar from kitchen tops to stave off hunger.
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He said: “I could go on for ages, but one that springs to mind is delivering a food parcel and you check in with the kids sometimes ask how are you doing? Is everything ok? And she responded by saying I am really grateful that you came because she saw her younger brother licking sugar off the kitchen tops, it’s stuff like that, I can’t even explain.
“These people in power make out like they care about the country right now the way I look at it, they care more about money than the people.”
Mr Ali’s latter comments particularly hit home when it’s referenced that all the way back in 2001, the then-Labour Government pledged to eradicate child poverty by 2020, but now 20 years later, several charities in the region say things are much worse than they were when the pledge was made.
In response to the rising numbers of families relying on foodbanks across the region and throughout the UK, the government says it has targeted its support to families “most in need” by raising the living wage and boosting welfare support.
It added £23 million has been allocated to North West councils through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme to help pay for food and essential bills.
A government spokesperson said: “We are committed to making sure every child gets the best start in life.
“This is central to our steadfast determination to level up opportunity across the country. That’s why we’ve targeted our support to families most in need by raising the living wage and we have boosted welfare support by billions.
“Additionally, we have launched the COVID Winter Grant Scheme to help children and families stay warm and well fed during the coldest months and £23 million has already been allocated to councils throughout the North West to help pay for food and essential bills.”
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You can find a list of active foodbanks in the region currently accepting and offering support – as in January 2017 by Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) – via the Greater Together Manchester website here.
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Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic GMPA encourages those in need of support to contact food providers direct.
This is regarded as the best way to find out more about the services they are currently offering.
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Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
The Manc -
3rd March 2021 
