The rise in the number of food parcels given out to people compared to five years ago has been described as “scandalous” by West of England Mayor Dan Norris.
The Metro Mayor during a visit to Bath Foodbank | Photo © WECA
Food parcels were given to over 9,400 people across Bath and North East Somerset in the past year.
The Trussell Trust said the number is nearly a quarter higher than five years ago, increasing by 22%.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, a total of 9,469 emergency food parcels were distributed. The figure included support for over 3,000 children in our area.
Nationally, the UK’s largest food bank network gave parcels to more than three million people last year, the highest number on record.
The charity has warned that even though inflation has eased, the number of people turning to its services in a moment of crisis is higher than ever.
Responding to the latest figures, Dan Norris, the West of England Metro Mayor, said: “These figures are scandalous. Food banks are a symptom of 14 years of failure, and just go to show how out of touch the PM is when he suggests everything is rosy and great.
“Ministers must offer real help to working people across Bath and North East Somerset struggling to feed themselves.”
