Record food parcel numbers in Scotland

North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain has today accused the UK Government of not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis. She challenged Scotland Office minister John Lamont over figures showing the scale of food bank provision for children in Scotland.

Figures from the Trussell Trust’s network in Scotland  showed their food banks distributed over 250,000 emergency food parcels, including almost 90,000 parcels for children, in April and March. This was the highest figure ever in Scotland, and a 30% increase compared to the same period last year.

Wendy Chamberlain said:

“The scale of need is staggering, and food banks across Scotland are feeling the strain. The rising cost of living has been concentrated in food prices, affecting those on the lowest incomes the most. The reality is that the UK government is simply not doing enough to support people.

“On top of that there are obvious inequalities in the benefits system. There is no reason why someone under the age of 25 facing exactly the same expenses as someone over 25 should arbitrarily be given less support, and the case is even stronger for single parent families.

“As chair of the parliamentary group on ending the need for food banks, I have seen up close the invaluable support food banks provide. We can’t expect them to deal with the crisis alone.”