The Trussell Trust has revealed alarming figures this week, showing that a record 3.1 million food parcels were handed out by their network of food banks in the past year. Shockingly, 655,000 individuals had to resort to using a food bank for the first time, with families with children receiving 65 per cent of these parcels.
Worryingly, there has also been a significant rise in the number of pensioners needing assistance, with 179,000 households with someone aged 65 or over receiving food parcels this year - a third more than the previous year.
High-profile celebrities from the world of TV, music and entertainment, including Aisling Bea, Levi Roots and Dame Arlene Phillips, have voiced their concerns, urging the government to address this pressing issue.
Renowned actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry expressed his dismay, stating: "The numbers are devastating. This should not be happening in 2024. We need a government that takes poverty seriously and prioritises the well-being of its citizens. No one should be forced to rely on charity for basic essentials."
The staggering increase in the number of parcels provided, a shocking 94 per cent compared to five years ago, has led The Trussell Trust to assert that this cannot become the new normal. They argue that there are solutions available that would ensure no one had to turn to a food bank, such as an Essentials Guarantee.
Comedian and TV personality Aisling Bea echoed this sentiment, saying: "I can't imagine the stress and anxiety parents must feel when they have to turn to food banks, just to put food on the table or feed their kids and living in that daily unknown.
"Over a million food parcels for children in a year is a disgrace in a country as wealthy as the UK. We need leadership which acknowledges and supports people in the form of an Essentials Guarantee and who listens to the advice of the Trussell Trust."
Other celebrities to voice their concerns include comedian Rosie Jones, Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith and YouTube stars Mark and Roxanne Hoyle of LadBaby who have had five Christmas number one singles raising money for the charity.
Actress Joanna Lumley stated "It's heartbreaking to hear that pensioners are increasingly having to turn to food banks for support. With a 27 per cent rise in the number of food parcels for households with someone aged 65 or older, we need to ensure our social security system is robust enough to care for people. It's time for a real change."
The findings show an alarming rise in food bank usage, with the total number almost doubling in the last five years. The Trussell Trust is calling for an Essentials Guarantee that would ensure that everyone on Universal Credit would have a protected minimum amount of support, meaning nobody would be unable to afford the essentials such as food and a warm home.
Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, Emma Revie, has urged all political parties to prioritise addressing rising poverty in the UK and to map out in upcoming manifestos how they will build a future where nobody needs a food bank to survive.
The founder of Feeding Britain, Andrew Forsey, said: "This outcry from celebrities reflects the opinions of the general public who have repeatedly made clear that this can't be allowed to continue, no one should need to be turning to a charity for something as essential as food.
"But it doesn't have to be this way and we know what needs to change. We need a social security system fit for purpose that ensures people's incomes cover the cost of the essentials we all need in life.
"The next government cannot afford to ignore this issue. As we approach the next UK general election, we urge all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive."
