What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The controversial rollout of the Tories’ flagship welfare reform has triggered a 30% surge in hungry families, shock figures reveal today.

Foodbanks handed out 586,907 emergency rations between the start of April and end of September - a 13% rise on the same period last year, according to the Trussell Trust.

It is on course to give away its biggest ever number of aid boxes in a single year.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

With each parcel having enough food for three meals a day for three days, volunteers handed out the equivalent of almost 5.3 million meals.

And foodbanks in areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out for six months or more have seen an average 30% spike in the first six months after its launch compared to a year before.

Charity leaders fear the crisis will deepen in the run-up to Christmas when the number of foodbanks in areas of full Universal Credit service will triple, and when demand for food traditionally rises.

Trussell Trust chief executive Mark Ward said: “We’re seeing soaring demand at foodbanks across the UK.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

“Our network is working hard to stop people going hungry but the simple truth is that even with the enormous generosity of our donors and volunteers, we’re concerned foodbanks could struggle to meet demand this winter if critical changes to benefit delivery aren’t made now.

“People cannot be left for weeks without any income, and when that income does come, it must keep pace with living costs – foodbanks cannot be relied upon to pick up the pieces.”

The Trust, which runs more than 420 foodbanks across the UK, called for an urgent cut to the six-week waiting time for Universal Credit which hits some households.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Of the 586,907 emergency supplies given away, 208,956 went to children - enough for nearly 1.9 million meals.

Some people need more than one aid parcel, with an average of two foodbank referrals in the last year.

In the first six months of the current financial year, the Trust’s network distributed 67,655 extra rations compared with the same period 12 months ago.

Data show issues with welfare payments remain the biggest cause of referrals, accounting for 43% of the total.

Of people referred due to a benefit delay, 45% were made due to a wait for a first payment were related to Universal Credit - and 36% of referrals made because a new claim had not yet been awarded were linked to Universal Credit.

Mr Ward added: “Without urgent action from policy-makers and even more generous practical support from the public, we don’t know how foodbanks are going to stop families and children going hungry this Christmas.”

(Image: Getty)

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams said: “The shocking 30% increase in foodbank use in areas where Universal Credit has been fully rolled out is further evidence of the desperate need for a pause to the programme while it is fixed.

“As well as foodbank use, the six-week wait for support and cuts to the programme’s generosity are also driving debt, arrears and even evictions.

(Image: Parliament TV)

“The social security system is supposed to prevent people from going hungry and getting into debt, not make these problems worse.”

“Labour is calling on the Government to pause Universal Credit and fix the programme before millions are made worse off.”

Oxfam’s head of UK poverty Rachael Orr said: “These figures are shocking but worryingly they are probably just the tip of the iceberg.

“Oxfam works with many more independent foodbanks who are seeing a similar rise.

“We are increasingly concerned that the way Universal Credit is being rolled out is causing unnecessary hardship.

“The Government needs to urgently rethink and cut the six-week wait.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “The reasons for food bank use are wide and complex, and for this report to link it to any one issue would be misleading.

“We’re clear that advance payments are widely available from the start of anyone’s UC claim, and urgent cases are fast-tracked so no one should be without funds.

"We know the majority of UC claimants are confident in managing their money. Budgeting support and direct rent payments to landlords are also available to those who need them.”