United Kingdom

Almost one in 10 parents “will most likely use the UK food bank in the next three months” | Food banks

Nearly one in 10 parents is “very likely” to use a food bank to feed their children for the next three months, according to a study.

This means that about 1.3 million parents expect to have to visit a food bank as families struggle to cope with rising living costs, with 88% of respondents acknowledging that their monthly food bill increased only in the last three months.

A Trussell Trust survey conducted with food delivery company Deliveroo also found that one-third of parents missed at least one meal to meet other costs, while 20% said they failed to prepare hot food at least once in the last three months due to the cost of using the oven.

Of those who said their household bills had increased, 58% said they had reduced heating as a result.

Emma Revi, CEO of the food bank’s charity, said: “Everyone should be able to afford their own food, but as families face the biggest drop in income in a generation, people tell us they need to to make impossible decisions between heating and eating and being forced to turn to food banks to eat. ”

She said the charity is on track to partner with Deliveroo to provide up to 2 million meals and support for people facing hunger across the country.

“Our new partnership with Deliveroo will help us support food banks to provide emergency food and food bank support to thousands of people in immediate crisis as we work on our long-term vision for a future where no one should turn to charity to pass. “, she said.

Will Shu, CEO of Deliveroo, said: “I am pleased to be partnering with the Trussell Trust to support local food banks across the country. We are committed to using our platform to play a positive role in the communities in which we work.

“Together with our consumers, our amazing restaurant and food partners and our network of riders, we want to play our part in helping tackle food insecurity in the UK.

The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke in his Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral about his concern for families struggling with rising energy and food prices.

“Families across the country are waking up with cold homes and empty stomachs as we face the biggest cost of living crisis we’ve ever known. And that’s why they wake up with fear, “he said.

Leading analysts warned last week that energy bills would remain well above £ 2,000 for another two years.

Cornwall Insights, which estimates a recent 54% rise in the average energy bill ceiling to £ 1971, said the continued high prices would jeopardize the Chancellor’s loan scheme to help households cope with rising gas.