Foodbanks have record year after introduction of Universal Credit

A record 1.6million food parcels were given out at the charity’s centres from April 2018 to March 2019, meaning the numbers have soared 73 per cent in five years.

New data released on Thursday shows it was the busiest year for the network since the charity was founded by Carol and Paddy Henderson in 1997.

Nationally, the network has seen an 18.8 per cent increase on the previous year but in West Sussex, the figure is much higher, with a 29 per cent increase recorded.

Worthing Foodbank

Worthing Foodbank provided 1,958 three-day emergency food parcels between April 2018 in March 2019. Of this number, 607 went to children.

The figure shows a 23 per cent increase compared to the same period last year and Worthing Foodbank is backing the call to ensure the benefits system is able to protect people from poverty.

Julie Denyer, Worthing Foodbank manager, said: “No one in the Worthing area should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.

“It doesn’t have to be this way – our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty. Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five-week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.

“Until we reach a future where foodbanks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most. We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support.

“Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.”

The charity believes the increase is due to people struggling with issues such as the five-week wait for Universal Credit.

Julie joined as a volunteer in 2006 and took over as manager in 2008.

She said previously, Worthing Foodbank had seen a decrease year on year since 2014-2015 but the arrival of Universal Credit in July 2018 was followed by a huge increase in the number of people needing help.

Julie said Worthing Foodbank shared the concerns raised in the Trussell Trust’s network about Universal Credit. She pointed out it was not the only benefit payment people had problems with but the issues faced by people in Worthing moving on to the new system were significant.

Aaron Payne has been homeless for 18 months and has been moving around the south coast, living in a tent.