Mustard Tree, a Manchester-based charity focusing on homelessness and poverty, has reported a staggering increase in demand for its food bank services, which has quadrupled since the UK's lockdown began in March 2020. The charity's head of communications, Jack Barton, has highlighted that the rise in users of their food club has gone from approximately 10-15 people daily before the pandemic to around 60 currently. This dramatic surge reflects the ongoing struggles faced by vulnerable populations in the wake of the pandemic and its economic repercussions.

As the UK grapples with the lingering effects of COVID-19, the charity has sounded alarms over the persistent issues of evictions and rising inequality. With the final module of the Covid-19 UK Inquiry focusing on the pandemic's broader societal impact, experts like Professor Michael Marmot are voicing concerns about returning to pre-pandemic norms—suggesting that it would be a significant misstep to ignore the lessons learned during the crisis. The evidence gathered during these inquiries may shape future policies aimed at alleviating poverty and homelessness in the region.

This situation points to a critical need for ongoing support and interventions targeted at the homeless and those in poverty, especially as eviction rates soar under Section 21 notices. The Mustard Tree charity’s experience underscores the long-term implications of the pandemic, suggesting that to fully address the challenges of homelessness and food insecurity, society must adopt innovative solutions and sustained efforts beyond the immediate crisis resolution.