Former Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron has written to the Department for Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey to make the case for a ‘poverty impact assessment clause’ which would force the Government to take into account how a new law would affect those living in poverty before passing it.

The call comes after Tim‘s recent meeting with a number of local charities and organisations to discuss the current rising levels of poverty that exist in South Cumbria.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the number of people using the foodbank in Kendal had increased by 34% over the past year and that 1 in 7 children in South Lakeland are currently living below the poverty line.

Tim Farron said:

“It’s absolutely shameful that we live in a society where so many kids return home from school each day to find there’s no food on the table.

“Far too many people are finding themselves in increasingly desperate situations where their only hope is to turn to payday loan companies.

“Clearly there are policy changes that are making life even more difficult for people who live in poverty, and if you’re already in that situation then you simply cannot afford even the slightest dip in your income.

“That’s why I’m urging the Government to extend the impact assessments for all new Government policies to people who live in poverty – so that the effects on them are taken into account every time a new law is passed.”