Hunger shames
Number of families who can’t afford to eat hits record level
POVERTY has pushed food bank use to a record high.
In a country as wealthy as Scotland, that trend is a national scandal.
Trussell Trust figures put the number of emergency food parcels at more than 210,600. If independent providers were added, the total would surely be even more damning.
The causes are clear – years of austerity inflicted real damage on communities across the country.
The bungled introduction of Universal Credit has pushed people into debt and rent arrears.
The impact is felt in the poorest parts of Scotland.
It will take humility from the UK Government, investment and effort to turn this shameful situation around.
The Tory Government should be ashamed to preside over a country where families – and children – cannot afford to eat.
FOOD bank usage in Scotland has hit a record high as thousands of hungry children and adults simply cannot afford to eat.
Exclusive figures provided by the Trussell Trust show 210,605 food parcels were issued to people in need in 2018-19.
Around one in three – or 69,410 – was for a child.
Campaigners said “enough is enough” and warned Universal Credit was contributing to the huge numbers of people who don’t have enough money to pay for basics.
The 210,605 emergency food parcels was up from 170,625 the year before.
It was also the highest number of parcels handed out since comparable records were first published in 2012-13.
Those who use food banks have to be issued a voucher by somebody such as a GP, a social worker or charity.
The voucher can then be exchanged for a three-day emergency parcel – which usually contains tinned and dried foods – at a food bank.
Every time an individual needs a new food parcel they must be issued with a new voucher.
Trussell said on average, people who accessed food banks in 2018-19 needed around two referrals each.
Chief executive Emma Revie said: “What we are seeing year-upon-year is more and more people struggling to eat because they simply cannot afford food. Enough is enough.
“We know this situation can be fixed – that’s why we’re campaigning to create a future where no one needs a food bank.
“Our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty.
“Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five-week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics.
“As a priority, we’re urging the Government to end the wait for Universal Credit to ease the pressure on thousands of households. It’s unacceptable that anyone should have to use a food bank in the first place.
“No charity can replace the dignity of having financial security.
“That’s why in the long-term, we’re urging the Government to ensure benefit payments reflect the true cost of living.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “Universal Credit is a force for fairness, providing support to people who are unemployed and helping them find work as quickly as possible.”