Ffoodbank Usage Soars to Record 2m Monthly - Why?

The Trussell Trust calls it "a disgrace" as foodbank use in the UK hits a new record high

Soaring energy bills and the cost of living crisis are being blamed for the surge in people needing emergency food aid

The number of people using food banks in the UK has hit a record high, with more than two million emergency food parcels handed out in the past year.

The Trussell Trust, which runs the UK's largest food bank network, said the figures were "a disgrace" and showed the "devastation" being caused by the cost of living crisis.

The charity said it had given out 2.1 million food parcels between April 2022 and March 2023, the highest number since it began collecting data in 2012.

This is a 14% increase on the previous year, and the charity said it was now giving out an average of 69,000 food parcels a week.

The Trussell Trust said the main reasons people were using food banks were: * Low income - 47% * Benefits delay or change - 29% * Benefit sanction - 12% * No income - 9%\

The charity said that the cost of living crisis was having a "devastating impact" on people's ability to afford food.

It said that the rising cost of energy bills, food and other essentials was leaving people with less money to spend on food.

The Trussell Trust is calling on the government to take action to help people with the cost of living.

It wants the government to increase benefits in line with inflation, and to provide more support for people who are struggling to afford food.

Conclusion

The Trussell Trust's figures are a stark reminder of the devastating impact that the cost of living crisis is having on people in the UK.

The government must take action to help people with the cost of living, and to ensure that everyone has access to enough food to live a healthy life.