UNISON sees big rise in welfare assistance

Public services union UNISON saw a massive rise in the number of applications from members for welfare help for basic essentials last year.

The union says its welfare fund, which used to pay for wellbeing breaks, is now being used to help members pay their bills for heating and school uniforms.

In 2012, 771 people applied for help with heating bills, compared to 158 people in 2011 — a rise of 388%. And calls for help with the cost of school uniforms rose by more than a quarter.

Overall in 2012, the charity paid out more than £750,000 — a rise of 11% on the previous year.

The trend is particularly significant as many of the union’s grants are going to working members, who are increasingly being hit by austerity and recession. More than £30,000 was paid out for school uniforms to nearly 450 UNISON members who earn less than £18,000 a year.

In addition to the rise in welfare payments, union officials report that public sector workers are increasingly reliant on food banks to feed their families.

General secretary Dave Prentis said that “the number of working people in poverty is on the rise”. He added that some were getting ill with the stress of trying to make ends meet.

“They’ve lost working tax credits and it has pushed them over the edge. Some can’t even afford the weekly shop and have to rely on their family for help with groceries.”