MORE than 8,000 emergency food parcels were provided by a foodbank over the last year to people who couldn’t afford the essentials.

A total of 8,340 food parcels were given by Whitehawk Foodbank between April 2021 and March 2022, an increase of five per cent from the previous year.

The foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust network, which has experienced its busiest winter outside of the height of the pandemic in 2020 - with more than 2.1 million parcels provided to people on low incomes across the UK.

Figures from the network revealed that 36 per cent of foodbank referrals are as a result of debt, with a further 30 per cent of referrals due to delays to benefits and issues with Universal Credit payments.

Joe Walker, manager at the Whitehawk Foodbank, said that while his team will always do what they can to help people in greatest need in the community, they should not be needing to distribute food parcels on such a great scale.

He said: “There will always be a role for strong community groups looking out for their neighbours, and we’re so grateful for the generous support of our volunteers and to local people who have donated to the food bank.

“There is great support across the community for people on the lowest incomes, but it shouldn’t be needed.

“We should all be free from hunger and no one should be pushed deeper into poverty without enough money for the things we all need. It’s not right that anyone in Whitehawk needs our food bank in the first place - everyone should be able to afford the essentials.”

'More needs to be done to help those struggling'

Mr Walker said that, with the rising cost of living, the situation is only set to get worse in the coming months.

He said: “We know what’s pushing people to need foodbanks like ours, so we know what needs to be done.

“National and local governments must use their powers and take urgent action now to strengthen our social security system so it keeps up with the true cost of living. People cannot afford to wait any longer for support.”

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said that the council is taking action to help those in most need, and slammed the government for not doing more to support people.

Cllr Mac Cafferty said: “An astonishing number in Brighton and Hove are supported every week accessing food through community emergency food providers such as food banks.

“This, in the sixth richest country in the world, is a damning indictment of over a decade of Tory government.

“In the sight of such unfairness, we are rolling up our sleeves and doing all we can to help residents in need.”