Food banks hand out emergency parcels in run-up to Christmas

The UK's biggest food bank network the Trussell Trust is bracing for its busiest ever Christmas, with figures suggesting a record numbers of people in need will seek support this December.

In West Midlands, the charity handed out 6,756 three-day emergency food parcels last December, equivalent to 1,526 every week – including 2,845 to children.

It meant the charity dished out 952 more parcels in the area than it did on average each month during 2018-19 – an increase of 16 per cent.

Meanwhile, separate figures published by the charity show 22 per cent more food parcels were provided between April and September than the same six months just a year before – meaning demand will is likely to be even higher this winter.

While across Staffordshire the charity handed out 3,077 three-day emergency food parcels, equivalent to 695 every week – including 1,242 to children. Which is 24 per cent more parcels in the area than it did on average each month during 2018-19.

And 16 per cent more food parcels were provided between April and September than the same six months just a year before.

Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie warned that communities across the country are being pushed into poverty.

She said: "Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration – but for too many people it’s becoming harder and harder to keep their heads above water.

"Nine in 10 of us believe hunger in the UK is a problem – food banks cannot and should not have to continue to pick up the pieces."

The number of food parcels handed out across the charity's UK sites last December was 44 per cent higher than the monthly average for the year.

More than 186,000 parcels were given away during the month, of which two in five went to children.

Since the figures do not include hundreds of other independent food banks dotted around the country, many more parcels are likely to have been distributed over the period.

Ms Revie said she wanted candidates in the upcoming General Election to pledge to protect people from hunger.

"Our next government must start working towards a future where no one needs a food bank," she said.

"It's in our power to reach a future where everyone has enough money for the basics. This can change."

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We spend over £95 billion a year on working-age benefits and Universal Credit supports more than 2.5 million people across the UK.

"With Universal Credit people can get paid urgently if they need it and 95 per cent of payments are made in full and on time."