West Midland food banks give out 120,000 food parcels in 12 months
Almost 120,000 emergency food parcels have been handed out by foodbanks in the West Midlands in 12 months as the number of people needing help continues to rise.
Latest figures from the Trussell Trust showed its network of food banks which includes sites in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Wyre Forest, remain busy helping families that are struggling to make ends meet.
A total of 1,332,952 three-day emergency food supplies were handed out to people in crisis across the UK between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018 – a 13 per increase on the previous year and a record number for the charity.
While in the West Midlands, 119,946 food parcels were given out during the 12 month period – a rise of eight per cent on 2016/17.
The figures includes supplies handed out by volunteers at food banks in Walsall North, Great Barr, Smethwick, Quinton and Oldbury, Cannock and District, Rugeley and Kidderminster.
The Trussell Trust said that debt accounted for an increasing percentage of people being referred to a food bank – nine per cent up from eight per cent.
The statistics show the essential costs of housing and utility bills are also causing families to seek help.
The other main primary referral reasons in 2017/18 were benefit delays and benefit changes while the roll-out of Universal Credit has also caused people to experience issues.
The charity is consequently calling for benefit levels to be raised in line with inflation to ensure payments keep pace with the cost of living, particularly for disabled people and families with children who are particularly at risk.
It also wants there to be an inquiry into Universal Credit saying that ‘errors such as incorrect payments along with poor communication issues’ need to be tackled.
Emma Revie, chief executive of The Trussell Trust, said: “As a nation we expect no one should be left hungry or destitute – illness, disability, family breakdown or the loss of a job could happen to any of us, and we owe it to each other to make sure sufficient financial support is in place when we need it most.”
