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Charity bosses say they have seen a huge increase in poverty-striken families seeking help from food banks as welfare cuts take their toll.

In Scotland, the Trussell Trust says there has been a 48% increase in use this month, and people reliant on the service have shared their heartbreaking stories.

Many Scots are losing up to £50 a week due to a government shake-up, the Daily Record reports.

And the high level of demand at their Glasgow south-east foodbank – one of the busiest in Scotland –is clear to anyone who visits.

Audrey Flannagan, who has managed the operation for six years, said: “We are seeing more people who are struggling due to universal credit, benefits cap or losing out on their child tax credit.

(Image: PA)

“Some are up to £50 a week down, which is a substantial amount when you have kids to feed.

“Up until two months ago, our referral rate on a Friday was 30 cases and the food parcels provided would feed 80 people.

“Now we are seeing 55 referrals and that feeds 200 people. It’s a tragic situation that’s only getting worse.

“We’re able to provide Christmas dinner and a small present.

“It’s not a lot, but a tin of boiled ham, potatoes, veg and a small pudding goes a long way when you have nothing. Most of the people are desperate and don’t have money to buy their kids presents, let alone fund a Christmas dinner.”

The food bank is a lifeline to those most in need and every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it is manned by a team of four volunteers who help put together hundreds of food parcels.

People are referred from social services, Citizens Advice Scotland, Money Matters and other agencies.

But it is donations from wellwishers, supermarkets, schools, businesses and market traders that ensure the branch is able to keep feeding hard-up families.

(Image: Daily Record)

The trust have just reported their busiest year in Scotland with 76,764 packages of three-day emergency food supplies given to people in crisis – 24,142 to children.

Audrey believes people turn to a food bank as a last resort.

Some suffer from poor health, abuse, mental or physical disability and severe social disadvantage or are vulnerable in other ways.

Winter also sees a rise in referrals as people have to choose between eating and heating.

The food bank give users with pre-payment meters vouchers for two weeks of light and heating.

(Image: Daily Record)

Audrey said: “People who come here are at crisis point and have no where else to turn. That’s why we exist because people have no other way of feeding themselves. It’s heartbreaking, especially at this time of year.”

Trussell Trust data reveals that issues with benefit payments remain the biggest cause of referral to a food bank across Scotland, accounting for 42 per cent of all cases.

The trust’s Scotland director, Tony Graham, said: “We are concerned that the ongoing impact of welfare reform – especially universal credit roll-out – combined with increased demand we traditionally see over winter, will leave foodbanks struggling to feed everyone who comes through the doors.

“Food banks in Scotland are already acting as an unofficial safety net, attempting to catch people let down by a welfare system that should be there for vulnerable families when they need it most.

“Not only would it be morally wrong for us to become a de facto arm of the welfare state, if welfare reform and universal credit roll-out continue unchanged, we simply will not be able to catch everyone that falls.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Robert Beg was forced to turn to a food bank when poor health caused him to lose his job and he found himself sleeping rough on the streets.

He said: “I suffer badly with epilepsy and began taking a lot of seizures, making it difficult for me to keep my job.

“I also suffer from painful ulcers on my leg and struggle to walk any distances.

“Every time I go into hospital, it gets better for a while but then the condition flares up again.

“I’m probably going to lose my leg which will make my situation even worse. I want to work, but my medical issues makes it pretty much impossible at the moment.”

Robert, 45, from Glasgow’s Gorbals, said that without the food bank, he would go hungry.

He said: “I don’t have a penny to my name and the food I get here has to last me until January.

(Image: Daily Record)

“Benefit sanctions make it difficult and by the time I’ve paid my bills there’s not much left. I’m living day to day and it’s depressing.

“The system is failing people like me. I’ve asked for help several times but people don’t seem to care. I just feel so hopeless and I can’t see things getting better anytime soon.”

Norman Mann, from Govanhill, is struggling to keep a roof over his head after losing his carer’s allowance when his mum had to go into a home.

He is so poor he can’t afford to cook Christmas dinner.

He said: “I cared for my mum, who suffers from dementia. I also looked after my stepfather until he passed away at 94.

“My mum is now in a care home and I don’t have anything – that’s why I’ve been referred to a food bank. It’s a struggle to keep my head above water.”

Norman is now struggling to find employment and admits he is dreading Christmas Day.

He added: “I looked after my folks for 10 years. My stepdad was a D-Day veteran and a very proud man and I know he’d hate to see me struggle like this. The food bank is a lifeline, but many vulnerable and older people won’t even know it exists.”

Vivienne Duncan lost her home and business after her husband ran up gambling debts. After he lost £22,000 in one night, they hit rock bottom.

(Image: Daily Record)

The 53-year-old said: “It’s been the worst time of our lives. My husband has mental health problems and he started gambling. At first, it was just small amounts here and there, but things soon got worse.

“We owned a pub but eventually lost absolutely everything.”

The couple, from Glasgow, are living in temporary accommodation and have haven’t had any cash since the start of December.

Vivienne added: “I never thought I’d have to rely on a food bank.

“Without it, though, we would have nothing to eat over Christmas. My husband is seeking help and I just hope things improve.”

When your choice is to eat or heat...

Robert Beg arrived at the food bank after not eating for days.

Despite having severe epilepsy and painful ulcers on his legs which burst open, he’s somehow managed to walk from his home in the Gorbals to Govanhill.

His deteriorating health means he had to give up his job as a fabricator and soon found himself on the streets.

Life hasn’t been easy for the 45-year-old and, although he now has a small flat, he simply can’t afford to

heat it.

He’s not been able to shower or wash his clothes for weeks and his only hope is that he qualifies for an electricity voucher from the food bank.

Unfortunately for Robert, he was given his winter fuel allowance a few months ago and despite the fact that it’s run out, he doesn’t qualify for another voucher until next year.

And although he’s given a small bag of food, without electricity, he has no way of cooking it.

The prospect of having no heating or electricity over Christmas and New Year is too much for Robert and he breaks down in tears.

He said: “I just wish I’d known before I walked here. I’ve got nothing.”

Moved by his situation, I and photographer Victoria Stewart take Robert to a local shop to top up his electricity.

It’s not much, just £20, but to Robert it’s a lifeline.

“Thank you so much. I’ll be able to put my heating on for the first time in weeks and I can cook a decent meal too.” he said.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the system has let Robert down. How on earth is he expected to work when he can barely walk?

So while Theresa May tucks into a lavish turkey dinner on Christmas Day I hope she takes a minute to think of people like Robert.

People who are being badly let down by the welfare system and who have to choose between heating and eating.

Food poverty is real, and cases like Robert’s should bring the issue of hunger and its causes into the public consciousness.

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



“We are helping families keep more of what they earn by cutting taxes and increasing the National Living Wage.

"We've also doubled free childcare and we continue to spend over £90 billion a year supporting people when they need it, including those who are out of work or on a low income.”