Penny Walter’s Story

 

Penny Walters

Penny Walters

“There are so many people living in food poverty in our communities, it’s like a third-world country. We simply shouldn’t have them. It’s undignified to live in poverty; to say ‘I’ve got no food’ and have to ask for help. That takes a hell of a lot to do that.” 

Penny Walters is one of the Community Commissions on the North of Tyne Poverty Truth Commission. She was awarded a British Empire Medal in the latest New Year’s Honours list for her tireless activism on behalf of local communities, in particular in relation to food poverty. She lives in Byker, with her adult child, whom she has been a full-time carer for. 

Penny advocates for a ‘cash first’ approach to help families who hit crisis point. A ‘cash first’ approach means giving families facing food insecurity a small payment, trusting them to resolve their short-term challenges rather than encouraging reliance on foodbanks. 

“Part of the challenge is the stigma, the idea someone accessing any kind benefits are playing the system or going to make bad decisions. In reality, it’s such a small percentage who abuse the system. 

“It also isn’t always straight forward accessing food banks. You need to travel to them, which might require paying for a bus. You have a to go at a certain time of day, often during the day – which can be hard for carers or those in work [according to the Trussell Trust, 1 in 7 foodbanks users are in employment].” 

Penny also believes a Universal Basic Income would help lift many people out of poverty. 

“The benefits aren’t adequate enough. It’s a contradiction that the National Living Wage is backed as what’s needed to have a quality of life, but benefits are so much lower. It’s a contradiction that the National Living Wage is backed as what’s needed to have a quality of life, but benefits are so much lower.  

“I have a friend with three children with additional needs. For her to work, she will need to pay £2,000 in childcare costs. How many jobs cover that? She has no choice but to live in poverty.”