Route Map to Ending Hunger

We recently spoke to Andrew Forsey - amongst various roles, Andrew works as an aide to Frank Field MP, Chair of the DWP Select Committee - about the high cost of bank charges, broadband and telephony costs. This action on our part followed on from our Santander article critisizing the bank for multiple charges on direct debits that failed to go through (*3). Claiments having been forced into a DD agreement by a utility vendor, who then find their income such as JSA, out of sync when these charges are due. It can be difficult to put aside money if an emergency arises. Not uncommon if you are surviving on a rock bottom income.  

We recieved this generous reply.

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Dear Simon,

Thanks for your note. Whilst I understand the Committee does not currently have any plans to investigate this area, Frank has taken it up through the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hunger.

He has written, for example, to the utilities and mobile phone regulators, as well as individual companies, asking whether they might pilot a ‘breathing space’ mechanism for people who are struggling to afford their monthly payments. You can read more about the APPG’s work on this front in its most recent report which I have attached.

With best wishes,

Andrew

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We have attatched the report: A route map to ending hunger, below.