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Mar

Last Updated: 02/03/2024

Lib Dem mayor candidate pledges emergency food poverty measures

by John Plummer

| 03 Mar, 2024

The Liberal Democrat candidate to be York and North Yorkshire's first directly elected mayor has pledged to introduce an emergency food distribution system.

Felicity Cunliffe-Lister is one of five candidates standing for election on May 2.

In her first announcement since she secured the Lib Dem nomination, Ms Cunliffe-Lister said she would take a "zero tolerance approach" to food poverty.

She said a countywide emergency distribution system would help those who can’t access food banks.

Ms Cunliffe-Lister, who is the Countess of Swinton, near Masham, said:

“At the time of the 2019 election there were more food banks than McDonalds, and the situation has worsened since then.

“Food banks are now commonplace. High interest rates and the cost of living crisis is forcing many to go without food, even where they might have a full time job.”

She added the latest accounts for the Trussell Trust, which operates food banks, showed its income had fallen while demand for services had increased by 560%

She said the mayoral office would oversee the emergency distribution system, aided by volunteers assisting with delivery.

Tordoff backs social care reform

With less than two months to polling day, other candidates also stepped-up their campaigns this week.

Pateley Bridge-based Independent Keith Tordoff called for "root and branch" reform of adult social care. He said:

“The demographic of York and North Yorkshire, with a strong representation of older people, demands that we treat their care far more seriously than we currently do.

“Chronic under-funding, a lack of proper pay and recognition for the workforce and providers leaving the sector will all need to be tackled if we are to provide the care that people deserve."

Former police officer Mr Tordoff recently met Mike Padgham, chair of the social care organisation the Independent Care Group, which is campaigning for social care reform to be included in the main political parties’ manifestos at the next general election.

Mr Padgham said:

“It was refreshing to meet with Keith and to hear that he shares our passion and desire for social care reform.

“York and North Yorkshire, like the rest of the country, are suffering due to the crisis in social care and people in this region are going without the care they need.

“At the same time, care providers are closing or handing back delivery contracts and a chronic shortage of staff is hampering care delivery."

Duncan pledges housing measures

Conservative candidate Keane Duncan announced plans for more new-build homes sold at a discount of up to 50 per cent of the market value.

He said he would set-up a new 'half-price homes’ online portal where first-time buyers can browse and reserve discounted properties.

Mr Duncan said:

“Owning a home shouldn’t be an unattainable dream. But for too many people of my generation, a home of their own is unaffordable and out of reach.

“Unlike shared ownership, buyers will own 100 per cent of the home straight away and pay no rent. What is more, the discounted homes will be the same quality and size of market homes.

“By backing people to achieve their aspiration of home ownership, this scheme will change lives."

Main photo: Felicity Cunliffe-Lister with Michelle Hayes of Harrogate community cafe Resurrected Bites.

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Lib Dem mayor candidate pledges emergency food poverty measures

Tordoff backs social care reform

Duncan pledges housing measures

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