A staggering 600,000 food parcels were distributed over 18 months by charities across the country
Foodbanks in Scotland are handing out more than a thousand food parcels a day, shocking new statistics have revealed.
The number of emergency food parcels distributed in Scotland has increased by 22% over the last 18 months, according to new figures released today (9 January) by A Menu for Change and the Independent Food Aid Network.
Data collated from independent foodbanks, which represent 42% of the food bank sector in Scotland, has been combined with Trussell Trust figures to show the full scale of emergency food bank use in Scotland.
Between April 2018 and September 2019, 278,258 emergency food parcels were distributed by 91 of the 101 independent foodbanks operating in Scotland for which data was available. The Trussell Trust reported a further 318,214 parcels were distributed by its network of 135 venues during the most recent period.
Combining these totals means that at least 596,472 food parcels were handed out in the 18 months up to September 2019, which equates to more than 1,000 every day.
The Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank operates two venues where people can access emergency food supplies.
Mary McGinley, from Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, said: "It is hard to believe that in modern day Scotland, more and more people are being forced to rely on food banks to feed themselves and their families. But until we see a significant change in direction, inadequate and insecure incomes make this continued rise in food parcels sadly predictable.
“Today's figures shine a light on the essential role independent foodbanks play in offering emergency help to those who are no longer being supported by the social security safety net which isn’t strong enough to provide protection to those who need it.
“While it is heartening that people are willing to donate to and volunteer at foodbanks, there is a real need for change. There should not be a system which is driving this year-on-year increase in demand. It is not right that people should need to go to a foodbank to put a meal on the table.
“Politicians must address the underlying causes of rising foodbank use rather than relying on charitable organisations and goodwill to respond to food poverty."
In the last 18 months, a total of 586,723 parcels were distributed by food banks. This represents a 22% rise compared to the total of 480,583 parcels given out during the previous 18 months recorded.
Foodbank figures represent only the tip of the iceberg of those experiencing food insecurity with people often skipping meals or going without food instead of using a foodbank. The new figures also do not account for other types of emergency food aid provision.
A Menu for Change – the partnership between Oxfam Scotland, Nourish Scotland, the Poverty Alliance and the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland – and the Independent Food Aid Network say the UK government must ensure people have sustainable and secure incomes to stop them being pushed into food insecurity.
Last year, research by A Menu for Change revealed how inadequate and insecure incomes from social security and work are causing people to become food insecure.
Now, the organisations are demanding the new UK government increases the National Living Wage to the Real Living Wage, restores the value of key benefits, and uprates all benefits with inflation. They also want the income families receive to be improved by removing the two-child limit and benefit cap, zero-hours contracts banned to improve job security and better support for people who experience income shocks through life events like illness and bereavement.
They have also called for Scottish ministers to use their powers to increase funding to the Scottish Welfare Fund which has faced a real-terms cut since 2013, ensuring local authorities are fully able to support people at crisis point.
Margaret MacLachlan, project manager of A Menu for Change, said: “As we start a new decade, the relentless pressures forcing people to need emergency food aid continues. These figures are deeply troubling and reveal a grim picture of rising levels of food insecurity in Scotland.
“A weakened social security system, low pay and insecure work are tightening the grip of poverty and forcing people to crisis point. The long-term solution to food insecurity is not food banks, it is ensuring people have secure and reliable incomes. In 2020, we must do more to ensure we can consign foodbanks to the history books.
“Today’s statistics are shocking, but experts also warn that data on food parcel distribution only provides a partial picture of the number of Scots struggling to put food on the table with many choosing to skip meals rather than use a food bank. Recent Scottish Government statistics revealed nearly one in 10 people in Scotland were worried about running out of food in 2018.
“The new UK Government must act urgently to fix Universal Credit and uprate working-age benefits, but Scottish Ministers can and should act too by increasing the Scottish Welfare Fund, which has faced a real-terms cut in its budget since 2013. No one in rich Scotland should run out of money to buy food and political leaders must act now to prevent more people being dragged into poverty.”
A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman said: "The reasons for people using foodbanks are complex.
"The UK Government continues to spend around £95bn a year on working age benefits, with Universal Credit supporting more than 2.7 million people across the UK. It gives people financial help if they're unemployed, low-paid or unable to work.
"The benefit cap ensures fairness by asking families receiving benefits to face the same financial choices as families supporting themselves solely through work.
"Meanwhile, Scotland has significant welfare powers and can top-up existing benefits, pay discretionary payments and create entirely new benefits altogether."
The Scottish Government said foodbank use had been directly linked to Westminster welfare cuts, benefits sanctions and Universal Credit.
They said to tackle this they have invested more than £1.4bn in support for low income households in 2018-19.
Scottish Greens co-leader Alison Johnstone described the findings as a source of shame for Scotland.
“This meteoric rise in the need for emergency food in Scotland must be a source of great shame for this wealthy, food-rich country,” she said. “In just 18 months, foodbank use has increased by more than a fifth, which is completely unacceptable in the 21st century.
“There is no doubt that food insecurity comes from income insecurity. There’s more than enough food, but people don’t have enough money to buy it. That’s why the Scottish Greens demand a welfare system and employment laws based on dignity and human rights. That means the Scottish Government must recognise the current approach is not working and embed the right to food into law as was promised in the Good Food Nation Bill proposals.”
