Project says donations can't meet demand

Residents on low incomes in Scotland’s capital are facing starvation as foodbanks run out of supplies, a charity has warned.

An urgent plea has gone out from Edinburgh Food Project, which runs seven emergency food outlets as part of the Trussell Trust, for tinned and dry food.

Bosses at the project, which relies on public donations of cash and food, say they only have supplies for one more week. If no support is forthcoming it faces closure.

Operations manager Bethany Biggar said: “Until we have a benefits systems that’s caring, compassionate and supportive, a minimum wage covering the essentials, and a workforce that is reliable and secure, we will continue to support those who need us. We will not allow people in Edinburgh to starve.”

Some 25% of people (3237) helped by the charity experienced changes to benefits and delays to benefit payments, and this was one of the most common reasons for their dependence on food banks.

There had been 4,530 food parcel requests between January and April this year – 47% up on the same period last year.

The charity recently dealt with a mother-of-two whose housing benefit was denied because her elderly parent was living with her until she was moved to a care home.

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said: “There are many reasons people use food banks and it cannot be linked to one cause. The vast majority of people are paid their benefits on time and Universal Credit is available to claimants on day one.

“Wage growth is outstripping inflation and more people are in work than ever before with the vast majority of jobs since 2010 in full time, permanent and in high skilled role, which come with higher pay.”