UNIVERSAL Credit problems are driving an increase in the number of emergency parcels handed out at food banks in West Yorkshire, a charity has claimed.

The Trussell Trust said its network provided 17,122 emergency supplies in the area between April and September. Of those, 10,734 were for adults and 6,388 for children.

That’s a 21% increase on the same period in 2017, when 14,147 food parcels were handed out.

Each package contains 10 meals, which are supposed to last for three days.

National research by the charity showed that delays with Universal Credit were the main reason for food bank referrals. The Government said it was “wrong to link a rise to any one cause”.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust said: “Our benefits system is supposed to stop us from falling into poverty, but if Universal Credit is to do that, we need urgent changes. Food banks cannot continue to pick up the pieces.”