More than 3.1 million emergency food parcels were distributed by food banks in the Trussell Trust network in the past 12 months - the most parcels ever distributed by the network in a year and nearly double the number compared to five years ago.
In newly published annual statistics, problems with health are reported in over one in five (22%) referrals to the Trust’s food banks - with health
conditions driving up costs for households and making it difficult to find or sustain employment.
The majority – nearly 7 in 10 (69%) of those referred to food banks are Disabled people.
Recent Trust research found that the design of the disability benefits system was putting disabled people in impossible situations and leaving them with too little income to cover the essentials.
Issues with benefits such as long waits, delays, or sanctions affect a significant minority of referrals to food banks (18%).
Figures from the Trussell Trust cannot be used to fully explain the scale of food bank use across the UK, because its figures relate to food banks in its network and not to the hundreds of independent food aid providers and community groups also providing emergency food.
Trussell Trust says that the significant increases in need seen over the last few years are linked to the soaring cost of living and the fact that people’s incomes (especially from social security) have failed to keep up with these costs.
It adds that: “The significant increases in need seen over the last few years are linked to the soaring cost of living for people across the UK and the fact that people’s incomes (especially from social security) have failed to keep up with these costs.
… “The cost of the essentials has continued to rise in this period. Food inflation was at 19.1% in April 2023 and remained above 10% for much of the year until falling to 4% as of March 2024.
… “The cumulative impact of very high levels of food inflation alone over the last few years means food prices are 24% higher in March 2024 than March 2022.
“When surveyed in February more than half (55%) of people receiving universal credit said that they had run out of food in the last month and couldn’t afford more.”
The Trust stress that establishing an Essentials Guarantee legal minimum in universal credit is critical.
This would embed in legislation the principle that, at a minimum, universal credit should protect people from going without essentials, such as food and bills.
Emma Revie Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust said: “A supportive social security system is the bedrock on which we end hunger for good.
Building on this, we need much more effective employment and financial support for parents, carers and disabled people, and action to ensure everyone can have the security we all need to access opportunities and have hope for the future, through more secure and flexible jobs and investment in social housing.”
Ken Butler DR UK’s Welfare rights and policy Adviser said:
“The main reason for the shocking number of Disabled people forces to use food banks is that benefits are not sufficient to meet the extra costs associated with disability and long-term ill health.
“Benefit payments must match the financial needs of Disabled people, and need to be raised to enable their basic living costs to be met.
“We urge all potential political leaders and parties to pay attention to the issue of Disabled people’s poverty and make it a concern part of the 2024 General Election.”
Read the Disabled People’s Manifesto for the General Election:
https://www.disabledpeoplesmanifesto.com/
For more information, see End of Year Stats from trusselltrust.org.
See also our related news story Inadequate social security level main driver of food bank use – Essentials Guarantee needed.