NEW figures obtained by MP John Healey show the number of food bank parcels given out in Rotherham has increased by more than 50 per cent in just two years.
The Trussell Trust say that 4,450 emergency parcels were given out last year, with one in three – 1,533 – going to children.
In the year to March 2018, 3,660 were distributed while 2,946 were handed out the year before.
Nationally, The Trussell Trust network gave out 1.6m food bank parcels to people in crisis in the past year – a record rise of 18.8% on the previous year.
John Healey, MP for Wentworth & Dearne, said: “The sharp rise in food bank use over the last few years is shocking. Nobody should be forced to turn to food banks to survive.
“Before Tory benefit cuts, food banks were few and far between. We’ve become a country with a food bank in every town and The Trussell Trust pins the blame for this squarely on government policies.
“The government must stop rolling out Universal Credit and make sure people get the support they need.
“I want to pay tribute to our food bank volunteers and donors, who offer help and comfort to people who find themselves in a desperate situation.”
The Trussell Trust has blamed the rise on the five-week wait for Universal Credit payments and benefits not covering the cost of living.