End the requirement for food banks permanently, says Trussell Trust

The Trussell Trust is looking for government at all levels to invest in working to end the need for food banks permanently because it launches attend cross-party political event.

The State of Hunger 2021 study sheds light on the groups of people over the UK disproportionately impacted by hunger and the drivers behind food bank use. It implies that 62 per cent of working-age people known a food bank at the begining of 2021 were disabled – that’s a lot more than three times the rate in the UK working age population. And single parent people are more likely to have to a food bank, with almost one in five (18 per cent) of households known food banks during the pandemic being single parents – that’s a lot more than twice the speed in the general population (eight per cent).

The charity says hunger in the UK isn’t about food, it’s about people lacking enough money for the basics. Research shows extremely low income is a vital factor in driving people to food banks. In early 2021, the average monthly household income after housing costs for those who required to use a food bank was £248 typically, or £8 each day for a couple without children. This must cover energy and water costs, council tax, food, along with other essentials and it is just 13 percent from the average national income. At the start of last year 95 per cent of individuals referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust network existed in ‘destitution’.

The charity says people residing in destitution risk being further pulled under by difficulties such as debt and mental health problems. The study finds in mid-2021 nine in 10 households at food banks were in debt, while six in 10 had arrears on bills and owed cash on loans.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “How can anyone within this country stay dry and warm and purchase food on just £248 per month after rent? People strugggling in extreme poverty are pushed to the doors of food banks because they do not are able to afford to survive. Hunger in the united kingdom isn’t about food – it’s about people the inability to afford the basics.

“We know we are able to change this. We have to alter the conversation around poverty and take action together. We want government at all levels to commit to ending the requirement for food banks for good and to develop a expect to do so. It’s here we are at government to make mtss is a priority – to determine that it should be a crucial part of the levelling up agenda to operate towards a hunger free future where we can all pay the basics.”