From Police Escort to Council Victory: How Our Community Made Newcastle Listen

A Food & Solidarity Win Against Harsh Benefit Policies

In late 2024, police officers removed us from Newcastle Civic Centre. We had brought stories of children living on £6.43 a day under No Recourse to Public Funds rules, and parents choosing between asthma medication and heating because of the two-child benefit cap. The Council did not engage.

This month, that same Council passed our motion unchanged. They now demand the UK government:

1. Stop the two-child cap that takes £3,250 yearly from families for each child (after 2)

2. End No Recourse to Public Funds rules

3. Respond within 28 days

No changes were made to our text. No delays blocked the vote. The demands we wrote while packing food parcels in community halls are now Council policy.

How the Vote Happened

Councillor Nick Hartley (Green), who put forward our motion:
"Nearly 40% of Newcastle children face these policies. Taking £3,250 per child yearly isn't support. It's cruelty."

Councillor Tracey Mitchell (Independent), who supported it:
"Food & Solidarity asked what city we want to be. Tonight we answered: One that stands with its children."

The vote was close. Down to a single vote. Earlier, councillors voted to extend the meeting time by three votes, so our community could be heard.

What This Means

@foodandsolidarity

Yesterday, we took a stand against child poverty at Newcastle City Council’s public cabinet meeting. Our members, including families with children, came together to deliver a petition demanding urgent action on child poverty. But instead of being heard, the council responded by barring the public and calling the police on families and children. In solidarity, we sang: 🎶 "No more weeping and a wailing, councillors get on board... No more children suffering, Labour, get on board!" 🎶 It’s outrageous that a council meant to represent us is turning its back on families and children facing poverty. This fight is far from over. We won’t stop until every child in Newcastle has what they need to live in dignity. ✊🏽 🔗 https://foodandsolidarity.org/n2cp

♬ original sound - Food&Solidarity

• Our community's effort worked against systems that ignore people

• The term "managed destitution" for NRPF's £6.43/day reality is now in Council records

• We've moved from providing food to changing rules through collective action

"Last year police removed us. Tonight they adopted our exact words. Truth won."
— F&S Member, West End

Join Our Next Steps

This win belongs to everyone who:

• Shared personal experiences of impossible choices

• Helped at our food distribution points

• Refused to let decision makers ignore hardship

But letters to the government won't send themselves. We need you to:

1. Become one of 300+ neighbours building community power

2. Share your experience: How these policies affected your family → organiser@foodandsolidarity.org

3. Spread this win!

Join Food & Solidarity Today

https://foodandsolidarity.org/join

• Without regular work: £3 monthly → supports emergency food

• Working part-time: £4 monthly → helps housing support

• With stable income: £10+ monthly → expands our work

No required meetings. No complex processes. Just meaningful action together.

What Comes Next

The government has 28 days to reply. We will:

• Continue to provider upwards of 50 parcels a week! Want to help? Volunteer here

• Plan further eviction resistances, fight for our members

• Prepare for wider action if needed!

This isn't about handouts. It's about standing together.

Join us → https://foodandsolidarity.org/join