![More charity shops than pubs closed [in the UK] last year](https://www.findfoodbanksbrum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Clothing-Image-Credit-Free-Range-Stock-Merelize.jpg)
A study of the high street by the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Local Data Company, found that 271 charity shops closed down in the UK in 2017 and 202 opened – a net loss of 69 premises.
December has only just begun, but it already feels that there may be a winter of discontent in social care. The promise of relief has not materialised, as no new money was laid out in the budget.
The Trussell Trust has called on ministers to reduce the minimum 42-day waiting time for the first universal credit (UC) payment as food banks say they will struggle with soaring need over Christmas.
For a 27.92 hour working week, the advertised pay was from £9.030 per annum. Considering this is term time only, and taking holiday pay into account, my calculations make this £7.44 per hour.
Universal credit, which is being rolled out across the UK to replace other benefits, is theoretically a useful system for people who are out of work or on low income, but there’s a lack of joined-up thinking across different sets of benefits.
![Theresa May refuses to accept Government responsible for nurses [that are now] using food banks](https://www.findfoodbanksbrum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/British-Parliament2a-Image-Credit-Free-Range-Stock-Daniel-J-Schreiber.jpg)
Prime Minister, Theresa May has been condemned for refusing to accept the government’s public sector pay freeze could be responsible for reports that NHS nurses are having to resort to using food banks.
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Guardian : Communities