500,000 three-day emergency food supplies were given out in the first half of this year - over 188,500 were for children

An MP has described the findings of a report by the Trussell Trust on foodbank usage across the UK as “shameful”.

The charity’s finding show that over 500,000 three-day emergency food supplies were given out in the first half of this year, and over 188,500 were for children.

This is an increase of 2% overall, compared to the same time last year.

It found that 27% were referred primarily due to benefit delays, 25% due to low income and 16% due to benefit changes such as change of circumstance resulting in loss of income, or a sanction.

We must make sure the welfare system works fairly and compassionately, stopping people getting to a point where they have no money to eat

Mhairi Black MP

SNP MP Mhairi Black has introduced a private members bill regarding the unfair sanctions regime.

The benefit claimants sanctions (required assessment) bill already has cross-party support from Tory MP Andrew Percy, Labour veteran Dennis Skinner, Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts, Green MP Caroline Lucas and her fifty four SNP colleagues among others.

She said: "These new figures are simply shameful. They expose the utter failure of the Tory austerity agenda. The fact that foodbank use continues to grow is a damning indictment of the UK government’s record which should leave the Tories deeply ashamed.

“While foodbanks do an excellent job of providing for those who need it, they should not need to exist.

“Evidence shows that sanctioning leads to increased use of foodbanks, as well as huge amounts of stress on individuals and their families.

“I have seen first-hand the terrible effect unfair sanctions have had on the lives of my constituents that is why I have introduced my private member’s bill aiming to limit the devastating impact of the punitive regime on disadvantaged people across the UK. My Bill will introduce a process of assessing a claimant’s circumstances by creating a code of conduct.

"Like many people I believe the current benefit sanctions process can be very impersonal, however, I don't want to waste the opportunity of using a private members bill purely to make a protest. This is a pragmatic attempt to address a serious issue and, if passed, will help to alleviate the worst excesses of the current process.”

David McAuley from the Trussell Trust, which runs a network of foodbanks across the country, said: "To stop UK hunger we must make sure the welfare system works fairly and compassionately, stopping people getting to a point where they have no money to eat.”