Food banks hand out 1.2 million emergency supplies in a year.

A record number of almost 1.2 million emergency supplies were given out at food banks in the past year, new figures reveal.

The Trussell Trust said its network provided 1,182,954 three-day food supplies to people "in crisis" in the year to March, over 70,000 more than the previous 12 months.

The charity said almost 440,000 supplies went to children.

Food banks in areas where the new Universal Credit (UC) benefit was introduced saw an average increase in referrals for emergency food of almost 17%.

The trust said the effect of a six-week waiting period for a first UC payment could be serious, leading to debt and rent arrears. Benefit delays and changes remain the biggest cause of someone being referred to a foodbank by a doctor, social worker or jobcentre.



PA Money News.
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