Starter Packs Inverclyde

That the Parliament commends Starter Packs Inverclyde on helping people in many homes since it was founded in 2002; recognises that the charity was set up to help people move into their first tenancy but that, over time, its emphasis has shifted to help those who already have a home by providing everyday household goods; understands that it has helped 4,275 households, 2,850 single people and 1,425 families, including 3,080 children; is shocked to hear that it has recorded an increase in demand year after year; believes that the shift away from helping homeless people to those with a home but struggling to afford regular household items such as toiletries and bedlinen highlights the catastrophic impact of the UK Government's austerity measures; considers that this has been made worse by the roll out of universal credit, which expects people to wait for at least five weeks before their first payment; welcomes the hard work of charities such as Starter Packs Inverclyde and thanks those who donate items, but is dismayed that people are having to rely on such organisations.