Soaring East region demand for foodbanks
The number of people in the East Region receiving emergency food from Trussell Trust foodbanks in the last year has almost trebled from the previous year.
91,420 people in this region received three days’ worth of emergency food from foodbanks affiliated to the
Trussell Trust in 2013-14, compared to
34,166 in 2012-13. Nationwide, over
900,000 people received food parcels in last 12 months.
These figures are also reflected locally where, for example, the
Cromer & District Foodbank issued
2,328 three-day food parcels to people in crisis in north Norfolk in year ending March 31 this year.
These figures have been described as “the tip of the iceberg of UK food poverty” by
Chris Mould, chairman of the Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest foodbank network, and faith leaders and academics have joined to call for urgent action on UK hunger.
Despite signs of economic recovery, the poorest families have seen incomes squeezed even more than last year, and more people are being referred to Trussell Trust foodbanks than ever before. Static incomes, rising living costs, low pay, underemployment and problems with welfare, especially sanctioning, are significant drivers of the increased demand.
A nationwide survey of Trussell Trust foodbanks conducted recently found that 83 percent of foodbanks surveyed reported that benefits sanctions, which have become increasingly harsh, have caused more people to be referred to them for emergency food in the last year. Half of all referrals to Trussell Trust foodbanks in 2013-14 were a result of benefit delays or changes.
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