Leeds City Council and the Trussell Trust publish research backing ‘Cash First’ approach

The research follows a pilot which started last year in which the council worked with three food banks in Leeds, Leeds Food Aid Network (LFAN) and the Trussell Trust to set up a cash first pilot scheme.

The research found that almost all (94 per cent) recipients of the grant preferred a cash option rather than a food parcel, and the vast majority (78 per cent) said that their ability to afford the essentials improved during the grant period. 

The scheme was successful in providing cash grants to people in financial crisis in Leeds and overall distributed £45,450 between 187 grants, supporting 283 individuals. The pilot was designed to ease pressure on food banks and support people in financial crisis with dignity, flexibility, choice, speed and convenience and help them afford their essentials and negate the need for using a foodbank.

Research following the pilot found that the vast majority (90 per cent) experienced improvement of overall finances during the grant period and the majority (86 per cent) did not use a food bank while in receipt of the grant. 

Longer term impacts of the scheme included the ability to accumulate small amounts of savings, increased confidence in financial management, debt repayment and purchase of durable household items.

Moving forward, the council will be looking at how it can embed a cash first approach within the Local Welfare Support Scheme and using research found from this pilot, it will look at how a future scheme can be improved on.

To read a full copy of the research report, visit the Trussel Trust website:  How we’re working with local government - The Trussell Trust

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, said:

"We are absolutely committed to tackling poverty and inequalities and we work closely with a network of partners to deliver for the most vulnerable in our city. Given the current cost of living crisis, it is especially important to ensure that the council’s Local Welfare Support Scheme is comprehensive and able to meet the needs of our most vulnerable residents. We want people to have choice when it comes to what they need to spend their money on and we will be looking to embed a ‘cash offer’ within the Local Welfare Support Scheme, taking learning from this pilot. We hope that other Local Authorities are able to take the valuable learning which came from this pilot.”

Danni Malone, Director of Network Programmes and Innovation at The Trussell Trust, said:

“Food banks should never be the first port of call when people face a shortfall in their income which leaves them unable to afford the essentials. A food parcel is not going to help pay the gas bill, get a taxi to a hospital appointment, or support with securing a new tenancy. The Trussell Trust is delighted to have worked alongside Leeds City Council and food banks in our network across the city on this vital and timely pilot which evidences the impact of maximising incomes. It is a brilliant example of how local government and community organisations can work together towards a society where people do not have to turn to emergency food aid as their first port of call.”

Karen Burgon, CEO of Leeds North and West Foodbank said:

“We have worked with Leeds City Council for many years supporting the provision of the local welfare support scheme with food parcels, but we don't believe that the residents of Leeds should have to rely on a food parcel when they are at a crisis point, so we were delighted when the council suggested this pilot scheme. We are excited to see the positive impact embedding a cash first approach option within the Local Welfare scheme could have on people's ability to afford the essentials.”

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