Responding to mid-year figures released by the Trussell Trust today showing that food bank usage has increased by 23% across the capital, with 72,239 three-day emergency food supplies being handed out to Londoners between April and September 2018, Londonwide Assembly Member, Dr Fiona Twycross AM, said:
“It’s appalling to see such a significant increase in the number of families forced to depend on food banks to feed their families. Sadly, these figures are likely to be only the tip of the iceberg with many more independent foodbanks having been set up across the capital to meet demand.
“It has been clear for a long time that one of the main drivers of food poverty is the shambolic roll-out of Universal Credit, that has left thousands of Londoners in near-destitution whilst waiting for their first payment.
“We are now seeing food banks becoming a normal and entrenched part of our society, and this should seriously concern us all.
“To turn this dire situation around, we need the Government to stay true to their pledge and put an end to austerity, whilst applying the brakes on Universal Credit so it can be fixed before it can plunge anymore families into poverty.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The latest figures from the Trussell Trust have shown that between April and September 2018, 72,239 emergency three-day food supplies were handed out to Londoners. This marks a 23% increase on the number given out during the preceding six-month period. These figures have been provided to Dr Fiona Twycross AM.