Food bank use at record high in Scotland

The UK’s biggest foodbank charity The Trussell Trust has reported a 17 per cent increase in referrals in Scotland over a six-month period to 60,458  - the highest figure yet.

From April to September the charity’s 50 foodbanks in Scotland gave out 60,458 three-day emergency supplies compared to 51,647 for the same period last year.

Almost a third of recipients were children, the charity said.

RELATED CONTENT

Food poverty in Scotland worse than food bank figures suggest, warn experts

Mandy Rhodes: It is hard to justify giving airlines a tax break while food banks remain in Scotland

Benefit delays and changes remain the biggest cause of foodbank use, but referrals due to low income continue to rise.

The trust's Scotland network manager Ewan Gurr said it was a worrying trend. "Difficulties related to welfare benefits are still driving the majority of people to our Scottish food banks but now one in five of those referred is on a low income.

"Among that number is a growing body of people in low paid employment who are simply unable to make the pay cheque stretch far enough when crisis hits,” he said.

Trussell Trust foodbanks across the UK also saw a rise, giving 506,369 three day emergency food supplies to people in crisis compared to 492,641 in the same period last year.

The numbers are expected to rise over winter as fuel costs rise for those on low incomes.