A sixth of London households facing hunger
Almost one in six households in London (17%) are experiencing food insecurity, according to a recent survey for Trussell.
As Hackney Foodbank responds to a 30% increase in demand, Trussell’s ‘Hunger in the UK’ report, published today, reveals 2 million people face hunger across the Capital, with paid employment no longer protecting people.
Almost a third (29%) of people referred to Trussell food banks in London are in work.
Photo Credit: Chris Lacey
Jenna Fansa, Head of Fundraising for Hackney Foodbank, said: “These figures are so alarming, and they back up what we’re seeing here in Hackney. So many of the people we support are in employment – wages and benefits just haven’t kept pace with rising living costs. It’s not uncommon for us to see professions like nurses and care workers at our centres or people who work more than one job to try to make ends meet.
“The pressure on our food bank is greater than ever and, with winter approaching, we are extremely concerned that unless the UK Government takes urgent action to strengthen social security, thousands more people in our community will be forced into food insecurity and will struggle to keep warm.”
In the past 12 months, Hackney Foodbank has provided the equivalent of more than 311,327 meals for people experiencing extreme hardship (a 30% increase on the year before). The charity is currently providing emergency food and support to around 800 people per week.
31% of those supported by Hackney Foodbank are children.
Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact at Trussell, said: “Hunger and hardship are increasingly seen as a normal part of everyday life in London.
"Parents are telling us they are losing sleep, worrying about how they will pay for new shoes, school trips, keep the lights on, or afford the bus fare to work. We have already created a generation of children who've never known life without food banks. That must change.
“It isn't right that hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life - including pensioners, disabled people, working families, and carers - are struggling to make ends meet. Nobody in London should face hunger. The UK government rightly committed to end the need for food banks and ensure every child has the best possible start in life; this research is the benchmark against which they will be judged.”
The survey, conducted by Ipsos, revealed that families at food banks are left with just £104 per week after housing costs to cover all living expenses, including food, utility bills, travel for work or school, and essential toiletries like shampoo and toothpaste.
Trussell is also calling on the Government to scrap the two-child limit and uprate Local Housing Allowance to keep up with current rent levels.