Gavin Newlands MP visits Renfrewshire Foodbank

Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has met with the Renfrewshire Foodbank to find out about the current levels of demand for this lifeline service.

Gavin Newlands MP with Elizabeth Alexander, Ewan Gurr and Laura Ferguson

Mr Newlands met with Elizabeth Alexander, Project Manager of the Renfrewshire Foodbank, as well as Trusell Trust staff members, Ewan Gurr and Laura Ferguson, and was shocked to learn that the Renfrewshire Foodbank is the sixth busiest in Scotland.

Mr Newlands constituency office at 6 Porterfield, Renfrew serves as a drop-off point for the local foodbank centre, allowing people to drop-in donations.

Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:

“I have always has a strong relationship with the Renfrewshire Foodbank due to the fact that my office serves as a drop-off point for those wanting to make a donation to the local centre, and it was good to catch-up to discuss the underlying reasons for foodbank use.

“It is deeply disappointing to learn that the Renfrewshire Foodbank is the sixth busiest in Scotland, and it’s evident that the Tories Welfare Reform agenda is the root and cause of this problem.

“The staff and volunteers at the Renfrewshire Foodbank deserve fantastic credit for their commitment to help others. As the local MP, I will continue to support the Renfrewshire Foodbank at every opportunity, but I will also continue to challenge the Tories’ cuts to welfare which is forcing more families, including many who have a parent in-work, to have to rely on foodbanks.