Strain as demand increases by 37%

THE Trussell Trust handed out 2,986,203 emergency food parcels in the past year as more and more desperate families turn to the charity for help.

Shock figures out today reveal a 37% surge in demand across its

1,400 foodbanks from the year 2021-2022 as they provided enough items for 26.8 million meals.

It is more than double the amount in the same period five years ago and some 1,139,553 parcels were for children, up from 835,879 the previous year and a rise from fewer than 500,000 in 2017-2018.

The annual statistics also showed new referrals were up 38% with 760,000 turning to a foodbank for the first time.

Rising demand was greatest in the North East, with a 54% increase.

Brian Thomas, chief executive at South Tyneside Foodbank, said: “We’re seeing a high number of families needing support as people struggle. Food donations are not keeping up with the increase in need. It’s a real pressurecooker situation for foodbanks.” Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said the “figures tell a really tough story that has been developing over a long period”. The charity wants the Government to pledge that benefit rates will always be enough for people to afford essentials. She said: “The continued increase in parcel numbers indicates that it is ongoing low levels of income and a social security system that isn’t fit for purpose forcing more people to need foodbanks, rather than just the cost of living crisis or Covid.” Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth said the crisis was the “price families are paying for 13 years of Tory economic failure”. The Government said: “We recognise the pressures, which is why we have uprated benefits by 10.1% and made an increase to the National Living Wage.”