Food bank use among families in Britain has soared above prepandemic levels over the last year, prompting urgent calls for ministers to bring welfare support in line with the rising cost of living.
Data released by the Trussell Trust, a UK-wide network of more than 1,400 food bank centres, shows that more than 2.1 million parcels were provided to people facing financial hardship across the country in the year to April 2022 - up 14 per cent on two years before.
This marks the first time food banks in the network have provided more than 2 million parcels outside of 2020-21, at the height of the pandemic.
More than 830,000 parcels were provided for children, representing a 15 per cent rise from the year to April 2020, when 720,000 were provided.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said the “explosion” in demand for food banks represented a "damning indictment" of "economic mismanagement" under the Conservatives.
Describing the “biggest drop in living standards in almost 70 years”, he said: “Food banks are a symptom of economic failure and ministers must now offer real help to working people, disabled people, families, and pensioners struggling to feed themselves." As inflation continues to increase and rising bills are putting pressure on families across the country, the Trussell Trust says it expects need for emergency food to rise further.
The data shows that the rate of increase has been rising, with the number of parcels distributed in July to September 2021 up 10 per cent on two years before, and the figure for January to February 2022 up 22 per cent on two years before.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 27, 2022-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 27, 2022-Ausgabe von The Independent.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Marvel's latest promo video treats its viewers like idiots
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ will ‘make enemies with Disney’ and ‘lower your IQ’... and that’s according to its own star! Louis Chilton finds the film’s ironic sales pitch mirthless
Coldplay haters get a life...or should that be viva la vida
As the British band prepare to headline Glastonbury for a record-breaking fifth time, Mark Beaumont assesses their legacy and questions why some critics are still so disdainful
Future of fashion is at stake
Clothing brand The Vampire’s Wife, co-founded by Susie Cave, helped define idiosyncratic British glamour. Its sudden closing down reflects an industry in peril
The sickening truth of the Nazi camp on British soil
For years, debate has raged about how many died in the occupation of Channel Island Alderney. It was no ‘miniAuschwitz’ but there were atrocities
Boehly has turned Chelsea into England's silliest club
Have they ever thought the problem might be them? Obviously not, of course, because that might take a level of self-awareness or humility and the capacity to acknowledge the failings at Chelsea start at the top.
Lookman sets Dublin alight and makes Atalanta history
Ademola Lookman’s lift-off finally brings Xabi Alonso down to earth.
Two uncapped players in Scotland Euro 2024 squad
Liverpool’s Ben Doak, 18, included as injury rules out three
Inflation is down but devil is in detail for homeowners
Across the economy, price rises slowed significantly in April with the rate of inflation declining to 2.3 per cent from 3.2 per cent.
M&S has the 'wind in its sails' as profits surge 58%
Retail giant says past year’s results the best since 1997
Kashmiris reject Modi's claims over record turnout
PM insists high voter numbers vindicate controversial BJP policies but locals say opposite