By Julie Dvorakova
The cost-of-living crisis is causing a record need for food banks, as more parcels were handed out than ever in the last six months.
The Trussell Trust, a nationwide network of food banks providing support to those in poverty, revealed new statistics that show record-breaking levels of need across the UK.
Revealed figures prove that from April to September, more emergency food parcels were given out than ever before in this period.
Emma Reive, the chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said: “These new statistics show that, even in summer months, people are struggling to afford the essentials and we are expecting that this winter will be the hardest yet for food banks and the people they support. This is not right.”
In Scotland, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed over 116,000 emergency food parcels between 1 April to 30 September 2022, including 40,000 parcels distributed to children.
This represents an increase (34%) compared to the same period last year and an alarming rise (65%) since the same period five years ago – a period not affected by the pandemic or cost of living crisis.
As Scotland faces the crisis while still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity says the Scottish, local and UK governments need to do more.
“Over the last few years, the government has acted to protect people who are struggling, and this action made a difference”, said Reive, adding that they must now act again to help people through the winter.
In July 2022, households received the first Cost of Living payment from the UK government. Scottish foodbanks distributed 15,098 parcels in July, which is significantly less than any other month this year.
Despite this, data show that this payment was spent quickly, and record levels of emergency food parcels were then distributed in the following months.
The crisis is forcing more people to use food banks, as they, mostly for the first time, don’t have enough money to afford the essentials. Food banks across the UK are changing opening hours to be available to those working.
Josie Barlow, manager at Bradford Foodbank said: “Someone who came to the food bank recently told me that buying milk is a luxury now. So many people are struggling with bills and food prices.”
The escalating need for emergency food parcels together with rising costs is likely to lead to the most challenging winter yet for Trussell Trust and other networks in the UK.
“We are fortunate to be able to help people and we work hard to support them in both the short and long term, but we are also facing challenges”, says Barlow.
The charity says food banks are now at ‘breaking point’, as more and more people seek help due to the crisis.
Compared to England, the number of parcels distributed in Scotland has either been lower or not risen in line with the UK average.
This is because alternative food aid is becoming more available in recent years in Scotland.
In January this year, the Scottish government promised to develop a national plan to end the need for food banks as a primary response to food insecurity.
The Government recently responded to the crisis as The Scottish Child payment was increased from £10 a week to £25, with the extension to parents of children aged under 16.