Sobering new @trusselluk.bsky.social stats out today. In just 1st 6 months of this year, food banks in the Trussell community provided 1.42 million emergency food parcels. 508,000 were for children. Close to record levels of need, 69% higher than 5 years ago. 1/7🧵 www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-res... - ThreadSky

helenbarnard.bsky.social • 170 days ago

Sobering new @trusselluk.bsky.social stats out today. In just 1st 6 months of this year, food banks in the Trussell community provided 1.42 million emergency food parcels. 508,000 were for children. Close to record levels of need, 69% higher than 5 years ago. 1/7🧵 https://www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-research/news/more-than-1.42-million-emergency-food-parcels-distributed-in-past-six-months

Comments

timewalkproject.bsky.social•170 days ago

Labour could have changed that by removing the cap on the 3rd child.

markshanahan.bsky.social•170 days ago

The scandal of the UK in the last 15 years is thst it has normalised #Foodbanks. From what was once the last resort of the few, they have now become an everyday need for so many. In the world's sixth largest economy, the state has abrogated its responsibility to the nation's social contract.

bartiddu.bsky.social•170 days ago

Hardly surprising. Record high rates of child poverty established by the Tories but being actively maintained by Starmer’s “Labour” government

https://bylines.cymru/politics-and-society/child-poverty-uk-costs/

ruthwatson.bsky.social•170 days ago

Food banks are not normal.

They should never be normalised.

Hunger in our communities is the direct result of punitive policies.

It horrifies me to think there now is a generation which doesn't remember life when we had a functioning social security system, and better workers' rights.

borisnorris.bsky.social•170 days ago

I'm never quite sure what this tells us; it could be 1.5m people needing very short term help, or it could be 25,000 people needing permanent support. No doubt somewhere in between - but we don't know.

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

Children especially strongly affected by hunger & hardship - 63% of all support from @trusselluk.bsky.social food banks goes to families with children. 2/7

greatnorthmum.bsky.social•170 days ago

I find this data really interesting in terms of the narrative around impoverished pensioners, especially re the winter fuel debate. The number of families with children living in cold homes this winter could be much higher but there is depressingly little outcry about it.

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

Young children, single parent families and families with 3 or more children are especially likely to face hunger & hardship and have to turn to a food bank to survive. 3/7

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

Social security system = biggest factor driving people to food banks. Utterly failing to protect people from hunger when they most need support. Government's made positive first steps, now we need a clear plan to meet their manifesto commitment, with investment in social security at its heart. 4/7

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

Slight drop in parcel numbers compared to the same period last year. Too soon to tell if this represents a real drop in hunger/hardship, or if it will continue. But many food banks tell us they're struggling to keep up with need in their communities. Possible factors behind the drop:
5/7

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

- Inflation falling
- Policy decisions incl. relinking Local Housing Allowance with rents.
- Local authorities and local services cutting back in some areas, making it harder for people to get referred to a food bank in those places.
- Rising numbers of independent food aid providers.
6/7

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

Food banks facing another very tough Winter. They need funds to provide not just food but a warm welcome & practical support with benefits, debt & services to address issues underlying financial hardship. Public support vital - donating food or money, fundraising, volunteering, campaigning. 7/7

catrio.bsky.social•170 days ago

I run 3 community larders that we only set up last November and have spent £20k since then

Many community larders etc will never be captured in the figures

rousseaujeanjulien.bsky.social•170 days ago

I suppose the numbers are even more depressing when it comes to the North East 😞

helenbarnard.bsky.social•170 days ago

You can get the regional breakdowns & trends on our website: https://www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-research/latest-stats/mid-year-stats

lewistibbs.bsky.social•170 days ago

Thank you for sharing this Helen! Really useful.

risu.bsky.social•170 days ago

Both my children’s schools have food banks. Depressing fact. I also wish that caused schools to ask if expensive uniform is really necessary. I’m a single mum and it costs me 150 just for the PE kit. Madness and they need a new one yearly. Families are struggling and need every help possible.

jontia.bsky.social•170 days ago

What sort of PE kit costs £150? Is it specific and banded from a single supplier? Our kids are just in simple blue shorts and white polo shirt. Two sets per child costs about £30. Alongside trainers they already have.

risu.bsky.social•170 days ago

Yup, only online and all branded.
It drives me mad. I’ve complained but the thing is other parents are scared to complain. But seriously: black shorts and a white top from Tesco would be fine. Surely. This is how schools are ruining relationships in part imo

dr-anne.bsky.social•170 days ago

That’s a waste of money and resources. Have you tried talking to administration about this?

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