Food Banks At Breaking Point With 1.3 Million Emergency Parcels

Food banks are reaching their breaking point, with almost 1.3 million emergency parcels given to people in just over six months.

The Trussell Trust has issued a crucial warning, as new research shows a record-breaking level of need, with 320,000 people being forced to turn to local food banks for the first time in the last six months.

The established charity provides urgent support to those in poverty and according to their figures, emergency food parcels were given out from April to September this year, then ever before.

The number of food packages that were given out this year, exceed the amount provided in the same timeframe before the Covid pandemic and a third year.

One in five people being introduced to a food bank in the Trussell Trust network are from working households.

The Trussell Trust’s State of Hunger research found 95% of people referred to food banks are destitute. The majority do not have enough earnings or income, to buy the essentials that we all need.

The trust has warned food banks are now at “breaking point” due to a ‘tsunami of need’ steered by the cost-of-living crisis as it has called on the government to provide sufficient support in the upcoming autumn statement. 

Volunteers are also set for their busiest winter yet, as the level of need outrun donations.

Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said: “These 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”

She added: “We are calling for the prime minister to act decisively in next week’s budget. We urge the UK government to realise their commitment of supporting people on the lowest income with a broad package of support.”

“As well as ensuring that benefits rise with inflation as soon as possible, this must go further to close the gap between price rises and incomes over winter.”

Image: Former work and pensions secretary, Chloe Smith

Former work and pensions secretary, Chloe Smith, highlighted the recent £324 cost of living payment being sent to low-income households as part of a £1,200 package of support.

She said: “Our extensive immediate support for families also includes our energy price guarantee, saving around £700 for typical household over winter, and our household support fund, worth over £1 billion to help people will essential costs, combined with longer-term changes such as altering Universal Credit to help people keep £1,000 more of what they earn every year.”