Unite press release/photo opportunity

What: Unite for a Workers’ Economy delivers food parcels to the We Are ONE Food bank

When: 2.00pm Tuesday 7 February 2023

Where: We Are ONE Food bank, 146 Freeman Street (access through carpark on Newmarket Street) DN32 7BP.

Unite delivers donations to local food bank after revealing extent of food poverty in Grimsby

Unite research shows the big 3 UK supermarkets made £3.2 billion profit in 2021/22.

But 21% of residents in Grimsby – 32,949 people – are living in food poverty.

Unite activists will deliver food parcels to the We are ONE food bank in Grimsby. People are going hungry and into debt while supermarkets boost their profits.

Donations have flooded in from Unite branches in Grimsby and beyond, with a message of ‘solidarity not charity’.

The initiative, organised by Unite for a Workers’ Economy, comes after research for Unite conducted by leading polling company Survation revealed shocking levels of food poverty and debt in Grimsby.

21% of residents in Grimsby – 32,949 people – are living in food poverty, higher than the regional average.

42,363 Grimsby residents (27%) have either gone into debt or increased their levels of debt in order to meet the increased cost of grocery items.

While Grimsby households are struggling to pay for food, Unite research shows the big 3 UK supermarkets (Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s) made £3.2 billion profit in 2021/22. That is 97% more profit than they made in 2019/20, the last full year before the pandemic.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “This is an important local initiative where workers and the community are joining forces to support people struggling with debt and food poverty.

“Supermarkets are making billions, this profiteering is doing real damage to our communities. It’s 2023 and tens of thousands of people in Grimsby can’t put enough food on the table.

“It’s clear the economy is broken and we need to take matters into our own hands as our politicians sit on the side-lines. It’s time to demand that Supermarkets lower prices and pay their workers more.”

From workplace to community Unite is driving a UK-wide strategy to help bring change to ‘heartland’ communities following the failure of politicians to act. ‘Unite for a Workers' Economy’ has begun with a major national campaign across key battle-ground seats up and down the UK, including Glasgow, Grimsby, Hull, Leigh, Barrow, Workington, Morecombe and Crawley.

Reverend Kay Jones, We Are ONE said: “The We Are ONE Foodbank is based in the East Marsh of Grimsby, in the top 5% of vdeprived areas in the country. With increased utility costs and food prices families who were already struggling are now in crisis. It is essential we have the support of those who are surviving at this critical time to help those who have no reserve to fall back on.”

ENDS

The Survation study’s use of MRP analysis allows us to accurately translate survey responses into robust estimates of the number of residents affected by cost of living pressures.  

Survation study’s use of MRP analysis allows us to accurately translate survey responses into robust estimates of the number of residents affected by cost of living pressures.  

 

Constituency: Great Grimsby

 

 

  

In the past month, have you or anyone else in your household Had smaller meals than usual or skipped meals / Been hungry but not eaten /Not eaten for a whole day because you couldn't afford food?

 

21% of residents in Grimsby are living in food poverty.

Which of the following best describes the situation you/your family are experiencing currently in relation to increases in household bills?

10% of residents in Grimsby are not able to pay their household bills this year.

In order to meet the increased cost of grocery items for you or your family, have you gone into debt or increased the level of your debts?

 

27% residents in Grimsby have either gone into debt or increased their levels of debt in order to meet the increased cost of grocery items.



For more information please contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315 

Email: Ci[email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org 

Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.