1.5 Million Food Parcels Given Out In 6 Months
Today, we released our latest figures that show more than 1.5 million emergency food parcels were provided by the Trussell Trust network between April and September this year. This is the highest number of parcels our network of food banks has ever distributed in this six-month period.
A record 540,000 food parcels were provided for more than 265,000 children living in families who could not afford the essentials. This is an 11% increase compared to the same period last year.
Jess Holliday, Deputy CEO at Eastbourne Foodbank said:
"Day after day, people tell us they simply don't have enough money to buy the basics. A client told me, 'I have sold my car. I have sold everything and cut everything out. But that's still not enough. All I want is enough money to pay the basic bills and have some left to buy my own food.”
Across the UK, 65% of all parcels were provided to families with children in the six-month period.
With more families reaching breaking point as they are unable to afford the essentials, we cannot wait. It's time for long-term, lasting change.
That’s why we are calling on UK political party leaders to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit to ensure everyone can afford the essentials.
Please help us share these figures. Together we can build understanding and solidarity as we continue to work towards a future where no one goes without the essentials. |
|
|
|
|
Thank you,
The Trussell Trust |
|
|
Previous posts:
What pushed Lucille to use a food bank?
Food banks in our network are supporting people who are facing impossible decisions every day. Lucille was working as a secretary and cleaner when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had no option but to turn to a food bank because she did not have enough money to afford the essentials.
She tells us:
“I was working as a secretary and a cleaner and I am a mum. After cancer treatment, I had chronic fatigue syndrome and no money and bills were rising up. Without the support of the food bank […] I would have had to choose between food and a shower and clean teeth and clean laundry to wear.”
Do you agree it isn’t right that people like Lucille are facing impossible decisions like these??
Universal Credit should offer support to anyone in need of help, but right now it’s not providing enough to cover the cost of life’s essentials, such as food, utilities and vital household goods.
That’s why we’re calling on the UK government to introduce an Essentials Guarantee into our social security system, to make sure the basic rate of Universal Credit at least covers life's essentials and that support can never be pulled below that level.
72% of the UK public support the Essentials Guarantee – just like you. Emailing your MP to tell them about the campaign could help bring about change to enable millions of people to afford the essentials we all need. If you haven’t already, could you use our quick tool to email your MP?
Thank you for your support
Vanessa Fraser
Audience Mobilisation Officer
Previous posts:
Almost 700,000 people turned to food banks last month
|
|
Dear Friend,
Our latest research reveals the true and devastating consequences of the inadequacy of Universal Credit. It shows that in the last month nearly half of working households claiming Universal Credit ran out of food and didn’t have enough money to buy more. With a third of working families receiving the payment struggling to keep their home warm as winter approaches, the situation is getting worse.
Nikki is a mum who receives Universal Credit. She was supported by a food bank after losing her job and experiencing a relationship breakdown. She said:
“Winter is coming and my bills are only going to go up, but social security payments will stay the same. I just don’t know how they expect people to survive. When you’re having to live on a pittance, it makes you not want to be here. My kids have never gone to bed without meals, but I have so that they can eat.”?
With almost 700,000 people turning to food banks last month and expectations of more people being forced to turn to food banks this winter, we cannot afford to wait any longer. We need a system that supports us all to afford the essentials.
Will you help us amplify our research by sharing our social post so that more people understand why we’re calling for an Essentials Guarantee?
|
Thank you for your support.
Vanessa Fraser
Audience Mobilisation Officer
Updated: November 2023
|
|
|
Posted: September 2023