More than 35, 000 emergency food parcels handed out across Sheffield City Region in just one year

A charity has warned many people can no longer afford to feed themselves properly after stark figures revealed more than 35, 000 emergency parcels were handed out at foodbanks across the area in just one year.
Foodbanks.Foodbanks.
Foodbanks.

The Trussell Trust said 35, 750 three-day emergency food parcels were distributed from their foodbanks across the Sheffield City Region – which includes all of South Yorkshire, plus parts of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire – in 2018/19.  

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Foodbanks.Foodbanks.
Foodbanks.

Perhaps most alarmingly, the data showed 12,155 packages – about a third – were handed out to children.  

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This represented a significant rise when compared to the year before in which 30, 950 parcels were handed out, including 10, 929 to children. 

The trust, which operates seven foodbanks across South Yorkshire, claimed demand for food parcels has risen nationally since the Government rolled out the Universal Credit benefits system.  

The charity said some people are having to wait up to five weeks for a first payment, pushing them into financial difficulty and the use of foodbanks.

Emma Revie, chief executive officer of the Trussell Trust.Emma Revie, chief executive officer of the Trussell Trust.
Emma Revie, chief executive officer of the Trussell Trust.

The Department for Work and Pensions, however, disputed this claim. 

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Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “What we are seeing year-upon-year is more and more people struggling to eat because they simply cannot afford food. This is not right. 

“Enough is enough. We know this situation can be fixed – that’s why we’re campaigning to create a future where no one needs a foodbank. 

“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. 

“As a priority, we’re urging the Government to end the wait for Universal Credit to ease the pressure on thousands of households.”  

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Nationally, the trust handed out almost 1.6 million foodbank parcels, including more than half a million to children.  

The trust said this represents an 18.8 per cent increase on 2017/18 and a 73.4 per cent rise in the last five years.

They added almost half of foodbank referrals made due to a delay in benefits being paid nationally were linked to Universal Credit.

The Government started phasing in Universal Credit in 2013 as a way of simplifying the system by rolling several different benefits into a single monthly payment.

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In a statement, the Department for Work and Pensions said it is “not true” people need to wait five weeks for their first payment as it is available to claimants on “day one.”

The statement added: “It also cannot be claimed that Universal Credit is driving the overall use of foodbanks or that benefit changes and delays are driving growth.

“The Trust’s own analysis shows a substantial fall in the share of parcels being issued due to benefit payment delays. The best route out of poverty is to help people into sustainable employment which, with record employment, we are doing.

“For those who need a safety net we have invested £10 billion into Universal Credit since 2016 alone, confirmed the benefits freeze will end next year and made changes to make Universal Credit fairer for women and families.”