We Welcomed Local MP Josh Dean to Discuss Community Challenges

On Friday 25th September, we were pleased to welcome Josh Dean, the MP for Hertford and Stortford, to the Hertford Centre of our Foodbank.

Mr Dean spent 45 minutes meeting with several of our trustees. Rather than a flying visit, he took the time to truly listen to our team, actively engaging with our current situation, the challenges we face, and the real-world pressures hitting our local community right now.

Addressing the DWP Voucher Hurdle

During the meeting, we raised a critical procedural issue regarding the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Currently, the DWP is restricted from issuing foodbank vouchers directly to individuals in crisis. This administrative barrier adds an extra layer of stress for people who are already struggling and navigating the benefits system.

Mr Dean listened carefully to our concerns about how this impact ripples through our operations and directly affects local families. He said that he would look into the matter to see how we might better work with the DWP, and explore pathways to resolve this hurdle at a policy level.

Shared Concerns for Our Rural Communities

The conversation also turned to wider infrastructure challenges affecting our service users. Mr Dean shared his own concerns regarding local transport infrastructure—specifically around local bus routes and the rising costs resulting from recent changes to the saver scheme.

We discussed how these transport limitations place an unfair burden on those living in outlying villages who do not have alternative modes of transport. When bus routes are cut or become unaffordable, accessing essential services—including the foodbank itself—becomes an incredibly difficult task for vulnerable residents.

A Change in Demographics: The Rise of Single Attendees

We highlighted a troubling shift in the demographics of those relying on the foodbank: a significant increase in single individuals seeking emergency food assistance. While foodbanks have historically been associated with supporting struggling families, single-adult households now make up a rapidly growing percentage of our users.

Single people face unique challenges. Unlike families or couples, they bear the entire burden of rising rent, energy bills, and food costs alone, with no secondary income to fall back on. Furthermore, the current welfare and benefits system often provide a smaller safety net for single people, leaving them particularly vulnerable.

A Positive Step Forward

We are incredibly grateful to Josh Dean for his time, his empathy, and his commitment to standing up for the residents of Hertford, Ware, and the surrounding districts. Having a local representative who is willing to dive into the technicalities of the welfare system and advocate for rural accessibility is encouraging.

We look forward to working closely with Mr Dean and his office moving forward to ensure that no one in our community has to face food insecurity.

Back to News