THE charity that runs the Barrow, Ulverston and Millom foodbanks has called on the Government to re-think the roll-out of Universal Credit, which is set to hit Barrow next month.

The Trussell Trust has called for urgent changes to scheme after unveiling figures that show a 13 per cent increase on people using them. There is a 10 per cent increase in the North West.

The Mail has reported that Barrow foodbank has seen a 31 per cent increase year-on-year in the demand for food leaving supplies much lower than usual for the run in to Christmas.

Now, the Trust is calling for a pause until the New Year.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of The Trussell Trust, said: “Our benefits system is supposed to anchor any of us from being swept into poverty, but if Universal Credit is to do that, we need to see urgent changes.

“It’s not right that people are being forced to use foodbanks after weeks of waiting for Universal Credit payments. The changes announced in last week’s Budget are a good start – but they won’t solve all of the problems foodbanks see, and they won’t help people making new claims this winter.

“We’re seeing soaring levels of need at foodbanks. The time to act is now.”

Barrow Foodbank Manager, Ann Mills, said: “The demand for the foodbank has risen by a third this year before the roll-out has even begun.

“We will need to find another third at the start of next year so we are desperate for any donations possible.”

MP John Woodcock has called for a postponement of the scheduled December 5 roll-out amid concerns that some vulnerable claimants would be left without benefits over Christmas.

Mr Woodcock said: “The government has finally admitted that changes need to be made to the deeply damaging way it is implementing universal credit but is refusing to halt the roll out of the service in Barrow next month.

“It is deeply worrying that no contract is in place to give debt support to people coming onto the benefit next month.

“We must find a way to break this impasse between the Department for Work and Pensions and Barrow Council who rightly say that the funds they are being offered are insufficient to provide the service.

“One thing we can all do is donate to the food bank who are expecting a surge."

“We cannot allow families to go hungry over Christmas.”