NEW FIGURES have revealed the extent of foodbank use in Bradford over the past year.

The data shows that 8,232 emergency food parcels – containing three or seven days' worth of supplies – were handed between April and September this year, by the Trussell Trust, a charity which aims to stop UK hunger.

This was up from 5,277 during the same period in 2019, but below the 10,212 handed out last year.

Josie Barlow, manager of Bradford Central Foodbank, said: "From our point of view, pre-covid we were feeding upwards of 500 people a month but then Covid happened and it went up to 2,500 people month but now it's dropped back to about a 1000 people a month which is still double what it was pre-covid, so we are seeing what the figures suggest."

"People are struggling to survive on the universal credit, especially now it's been reduced. I've spoken to four people today who have said they just can't manage now it's been cut. People are starting to feel the squeeze. They're having to choose between heating their house or having food on their plate."

But Josie added that thankfully people in Bradford are generous, so during the pandemic, the donations matched the demand for food.

As Universal credit payments were reduced in October, The Government has said Universal Credit claimants will benefit from a newly reduced taper rate and increased work allowance, while a Household Support Fund will help vulnerable families in England afford essentials over the coming months.

A spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting people on low incomes and the changes we have made to Universal Credit will see nearly two million of the lowest paid better off by around £1,000 a year.

“The most vulnerable, including those who can’t work, can get additional help with essential costs through our new £500 million support fund.”

Emma Revie, Trussell Trust chief executive, said: “Everyone in the UK should be able to afford the essentials – to buy their own food and heat their homes.

“Yet food banks in our network continue to see more and more people facing destitution with an increase in food parcels going to children. This is not right.”

She added: “The answer must be for us to have the stability of a strong enough social security system to protect any one of us when we need it."