Record number of emergency food parcels distributed by food banks in the Trussell Trust network as people on low incomes struggle to afford the essentials
|
New figures released today by the Trussell Trust reveal that more
than 3.1 million emergency food parcels were provided to people
facing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024, with more than
1.1 million of these parcels provided for children. This is the
highest number of parcels distributed in a single year by the food
banks in the charity's UK-wide network and represents a shocking
94% increase compared to five years ago. The Trussell Trust says
that the number of...Request free trial
New figures released today by the Trussell Trust reveal that more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024, with more than 1.1 million of these parcels provided for children. This is the highest number of parcels distributed in a single year by the food banks in the charity's UK-wide network and represents a shocking 94% increase compared to five years ago. The Trussell Trust says that the number of people going without the essentials is higher than ever before despite falling inflation. This year's figures represent a 4% increase compared to last year, when inflation was higher. The charity warns that many people on the lowest incomes are set to be worse off this year than during the pandemic, or when inflation was at a record high, due to the ending of the government's additional cost of living payments. Val McKie, who has previously needed the support of food banks, said: “After the tragic death of my husband of only four years, the loss of my steady income through my contractor closing down and finally my landlord selling my home, I was left couch surfing and destitute. More importantly I was overwhelmed with shame at the situation I was in. I struggled for years before I found the courage and strength to ask for help, these feeling are shared by so many people who need the support of food banks. “The increasing need for food banks affects us all either directly or indirectly. It is a stain on our society one which we can erase if we work together sharing our skills knowledge and experiences with those who directly make policy. Everyone knows that not having enough to feed ourselves and our families is a very real threat to our very survival. We need to come together to end the need for food banks in the UK and create a society where everyone can flourish.” Alarmingly, two thirds (65%) of all support provided by food banks in the Trussell Trust network last year was for families with children. Furthermore, the charity reports that far too many people who previously didn't need to turn to a food bank are now left with no other option, as 655,000 people have needed to use a food bank in the Trussell Trust network for the first time last year, a 40% increase from five years ago. Although families with children and working-age adults are still overrepresented at food banks, the charity has also seen a concerning increase in parcels going to pension-age households, with 179,000 parcels provided for pension age households, a 27% increase compared to last year, significantly higher than the average 4% increase across the network. Rising poverty among pensioners, especially those still renting, means that more older people are finding themselves unable to afford essentials and facing hunger and severe hardship. Wendy Doyle, Operations Manager at Leeds South and East Foodbank said: “We have seen a 34% increase in families and a 27% increase in pensioners using our food bank over the past year, these are alarming figures to us as a food bank and for our volunteers who are on the front line every day. Our volunteers are telling us that they are dealing with pensioners who can't afford to put food on the table due to having to pay higher energy costs and that is the choice they are having to make. “A lady who came to the food bank recently told us that she had never had to use charity before. She said that she had always been able to manage, even while bringing four children up on her own, but when she came to the food bank she was in a situation where she had to choose between keeping warm or eating. We were able to provide her with the help she needed and refer her on to an agency for additional support, but it's not right that people are put in these positions, things need to change.” The Trussell Trust is calling for urgent reform of the social security system as it is currently failing in its most basic duty – to protect people from going without essentials we all need in life. Alongside many other organisations, the anti-poverty charity is urging the UK Government to introduce an ‘Essentials Guarantee' into Universal Credit to ensure everyone has a protected minimum amount of support to afford the essentials. The Trussell Trust is warning that the next UK Government cannot afford to ignore this issue. Ahead of the General Election, it is urging all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive. It also warns that the current plan to end the Household Support Fund (HSF) in September will have devastating consequences for communities across England. The HSF has provided a vital lifeline, with most local crisis support relying on it to fund direct help for people struggling to afford unexpected costs, and preventative advice and support. If this disappears, councils and charities will be left scrambling to fill an enormous gap. More people are likely to fall into unaffordable debt, be unable to afford essentials, and have no choice but to turn to food banks – who are already at breaking point. Emma Revie, Chief Executive at the Trussell Trust said: “It's 2024 and we're facing historically high levels of food bank need. As a society, we cannot allow this to continue. We must not let food banks become the new norm. As we approach the next UK General Election, we urgently need all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive. Voters want to see a change and we need cross-government action at all levels to deliver it. We know what's pushing people to food banks, so we know what needs to change. “A supportive social security system is the bedrock on which we end hunger for good. Building on this, we need much more effective employment and financial support for parents, carers and disabled people and action to ensure everyone can have the security we all need to access opportunities and have hope for the future, through more secure and flexible jobs and investment in social housing. “Food banks are not the answer. They will be there to support people as long as they are needed, but our political leaders must take bold action to build a future where everyone has enough money to afford the life's essentials. The time to act is now.” The Trussell Trust has set out the crucial actions the next UK Government must take to ensure everyone has the security of being able to afford the essentials, and we can consign the need for food banks to history: trusselltrust.org/manifesto * -ENDS- NOTES TO EDITOR Number of emergency food parcels distributed by food banks in the Trussell Trust network in 2023/24, 2022/23 and 2018/19.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||