WESTON'S MP and a spokesperson from the town's Labour Party are amongst those who have reacted to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's latest figures on destitution.

Many local people who are having to go without basic supplies or are only just surviving on a very low income were interviewed in a Channel 4 documentary, which explored food poverty in the area.

According to a recent Joseph Rowntree Foundation report, the number of people experiencing destitution in the UK has more than doubled in the last five years.

Dan Aldridge, policy officer from Weston's Labour Party, said: "Channel 4 News used Weston as the backdrop to their reporting on the findings of this latest report.

"In their interview, we meet Paul and Gareth, Weston locals, both struggling to survive rent hikes, cost of basic services and a Universal Credit system that fails to deliver on the essentials.

"Both Paul and Gareth rely on food banks to provide the one meal a day they can afford to eat, both with little hope their circumstances will change and at the absolute mercy of a failing Universal Credit system.

"In Weston alone, 8518 three-day emergency food supplies were provided over the last year, as we go into winter, we’re reminded that Weston’s food bank recorded its busiest ever day, the week before Christmas 2022 where it handed out 74 food parcels in the freezing.

"We in the Labour Party are clear, this Government has no interest in changing the system to help our communities, only a Labour Government will do that, reform Universal Credit and protect people when they need it."

John Penrose, Weston's Conservative MP, said: "I’m afraid money is tight for everyone, but particularly for people like Paul and Gareth who are too ill to find work.

"The problems may have been caused by spiking energy bills because of Mr Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but they still hit home here in Weston. That’s why it’s so important for pensions to go up in line with the Triple Lock, and for benefits to keep up with inflation.

"Taxpayers still have to pay for all this, of course, but I hope and expect the latest increases will be announced in the next couple of weeks, to make sure the money keeps up with the bills.

"Plus our local council have £2.6M Government cash specifically to support vulnerable households too."

The Trussell Trust has been contacted for a comment.