Closed petition PE2007: Increase allotment provision for all and entitle Universal Credit claimants to a free plot
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to increase allotment provision so current waiting lists are fulfilled and all Universal Credit claimants are offered a free plot at their nearest allotment site.
Previous action taken
Back in 2021 I emailed my Westminster MP who told me this was a matter for the Scottish Parliament. I have been communicating with my local council, by both telephone and email, and I have suggested that they negotiate with the owner of the field adjacent to my local allotment site to increase the area to include more plots. Despite my best efforts to explain the current food poverty issue they remain seemingly unconcerned and several months of emails to my MSP have generated no response either.
Background information
People are waiting for years on local government waiting lists just to get a humble allotment plot.
The current inflation crisis is making it difficult for some people to afford a balanced diet, particularly the rural poor on Universal Credit who can rarely afford bus fares, and as a result have to survive on the limited range of groceries available at inflated prices in small village shops.
Universal Credit is less than half of the state pension and is regarded as the harshest and most brutal benefit to ever have existed, and is a known suicide risk factor.
A free allotment plot is the most progressive and logical next step up from the current undignified food bank mentality and has the potential to improve the nutrition, choice and supply of fresh food to some of the most vulnerable people in society.
'Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.' Lao Tzu.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
53 signatures