Get the stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

BENEFIT sanctions and delays are the key reason why people in Scotland are turning to food banks, according to a report out today.

Between half and two-thirds of food bank users say their financial woes are caused by problems or delays with benefit payments or missing tax credits.

More than 117,000 people, including 36,000 children, were given three days’ emergency food by the Trussell Trust last year.

That’s more than eight times as many food aid recipients as two years earlier.

The latest report was compiled by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, alongside the Trussell Trust and Oxfam Scotland.

Today campaigners called on the Scottish Government and ­councils to use existing powers to save families from hardship.

John Dickie, of CPAG in Scotland, said poverty and the need for food banks was increasing. He blamed UK Government changes to the social security system.

But he added: “Regardless of what is triggering the crisis, local authorities, the Scottish Government and employers have a real opportunity to do more to protect the health and wellbeing of children and families.

“They can all do more to improve access to affordable transport, support struggling employees and ensure all families get the benefits and tax credits they are entitled to.

“We urge the Scottish Government, local authorities and employers to listen to the often distressing stories told in this report and take a harder look at what could be done here and now.”

The report uses harrowing ­testimony from families who have been at the frontline of brutal welfare reforms. One family – Donna, Robbie and their three children – turned to food banks after interruptions to their benefits meant their income was cut to just £48 a week.

Another couple, Aleksander and Elena, called on food banks because their income from zero-hour contracts was so sporadic.

Other victims said they fell into the poverty trap after suffering mental illness and physical disabilities, leaving them unable to work.

The report makes a series of recommendations for Scottish policy makers based on existing powers.

They include investing in local benefits and debt advice, ensuring affordable transport is available, removing financial barriers to services such as schools and health and access to crisis grants.

Ewan Gurr, from the Trussell Trust, said: “It is hard to pinpoint a time when it has been as difficult for individuals to secure sustainable employment.”

Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “In rich Scotland, no one should be going hungry.”

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said Westminster’s austerity cuts had wiped £6billion from Scotland’s economy. He added: “This has led to 210,000 children in Scotland now living in relative poverty, which is unacceptable.”

Case study: Shauna's story

(Image: Daily Record)

NEWLYWED Shauna Gauntlett had to rely on food banks after benefit officials stopped her jobseeker payments.

It came as the 28-year-old from Dundee waited on a routine record check to start a job as a care assistant.

But due to the nine-week wait for her forms, Jobcentre bosses thought Shauna had quit looking for work and put a stop to her benefits. It meant she was penniless for weeks and had to receive food parcels from the Trussell Trust.

She told the Record: “I was out of pocket for about six weeks and had no money to live on.

“I ended up homeless in 2011 after I came back from working abroad and had to have food parcels then. I also had to use food banks when I was in employment as my wages weren’t adequate.

“Because of this, I now volunteer at food banks. I was invited to the Scottish Parliament to talk about it earlier this year.”

She added: “I think there should be a greater network that can communicate better and something that means if people are sanctioned, they are not going to go without the basics.”