Demand for Trussell Trust food parcels in Bucks 10 TIMES HIGHER now than 2016
The charity has released new figures
Last updated 29th Nov 2021
The number of food parcels distributed at The Trussell Trust's food banks across Buckinghamshire this year is more than 10 times higher than in 2016.
The charity has revealed it handed out 10,022 parcels, between April 1 and September 30 2021, across 15 food banks in the county.
During the same period in 2016, 978 parcels were distributed across Buckinghamshire.
The Trussell Trust claims the recent £20 per week cut to Universal Credit, and unemployment caused by the pandemic, are both partially to blame for this rising demand.
'There is a failure of the state'
Heather-Joy Garrett, who manages the charity's Aylesbury site, has spoken to Greatest Hits Radio.
"We would like to be redundant, we would like not be needed, because we don't think that this is something that society should be doing. It shouldn't be necessary, except in a few very odd cases.
"The kinds of numbers of people that we're seeing means that there is a failure of the state somewhere.
"There is a risk that, as prices go up, people who would donate to us simply won't be able to anymore," she said.
'In certain poverty indexes we are becoming a third-world country'
Across the UK, the Trussell Trust network provided an average of over 5,100 food parcels every day between April and September this year.
Soaring inflation and unprecedented fuel costs have also been sighted by the organisation as major factors causing families to require emergency intervention.
It now expects the demand for emergency food to continue increasing over the festive period and into 2022.
"I think it's a disgrace, I think it is shaming ... in certain poverty indexes we are becoming a third-world country.
"Something politically needs to be done at government level for them (Ministers) to understand this (donating) isn't a wonderful thing that people do, this is a horrendous thing that people are being forced to do, because people are in such an unmanageable position," Ms Garrett added.
'New £500 million support fund'
However, the government has told Greatest Hits Radio it's committed to helping people on lower incomes.
A Government spokesperson added: "The changes we have made to Universal Credit will see nearly two million of the lowest paid better off by around £1,000 a year.
"The most vulnerable, including those who can’t work, can get additional help with essential costs through our new £500 million support fund".
Ministers also say they "have a comprehensive childcare offer in place for working parents," to help with living costs. That includes nearly £1 billion of additional housing support, through Local Housing Allowance rates.