A FOOD Bank in Barrow has reported a 42 per cent increase in users compared to this time last year. 

Barrow Food Bank has fed 1043 people from 1 April to date this year, compared to 736 in the same period last year. 

In response to this, Barrow Borough Council leader Ann Thomson said: "Under the Conservatives the number of children growing up in relative poverty has increased by half a million and there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of children living in deprivation.

"A 42 per cent increase in the use of food banks in our community tells its own story and we are grateful to the staff and volunteers who maintain what has now become an indispensable service and an indictment of Conservative rule.

"Barrovians are known for being generous people, but the dramatic cut in living standards has impacted upon the foodstuffs that are being donated to food banks." 

Claire Coulthurst, project manager for Barrow Foodbank said: "We have definitely begun to see an increase in the need for our service, we are seeing lots of new people that haven't needed to use us before.

"We are seeing an increase in working people/families needing food.

"We do anticipate it getting busier, especially throughout autumn/winter when people will be using their gas/electric more and there is set to be another increase.

"We are already receiving feedback that people are struggling to pay those utilities now." 

People on benefits will receive their first instalment of their cost of living payment from July 14. This is £326, however inflation is currently at 6.2 per cent and rising. 

They will also need to be entitled to benefits payments by 25 May to receive the first instalment. After the second instalment on an unspecified date, benefits recipients will have £650 to combat rises in the cost of living. 

However, working families on low incomes will not receive any money until the national £400 energy grant in October. 

The Barrow Borough Council lead member for children, young people, and families Beverly Morgan said: "Our food banks and community food projects do an amazing job in difficult circumstances.

"This crisis will only get worse and the government need to act now to create security for those on low incomes." 

Ms. Coulthurst gave the following list of items that are needed the most by Barrow Food Bank: 

  • Long life juice
  • Sponge/Rice Puddings. 
  • Tinned potatoes. 
  • Jam.
  • Pasta sauce.
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste. 
  • Toilet rolls.
  • Handwash.
  • Soap.
  • Shampoo and conditioner.
  • Nappies size 5,6,7. 

Barrow Food Bank is part of The Trussell Trust, which represents food banks across the UK. 

Between 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 the organisation as a whole provided more than 2.1 million parcels across the UK. 

This represents a 14 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2019/20 before the pandemic. 

More than 830,000 parcels were provided for children, representing a 15% increase from 2019/20 according to The Trussell Trust's figures.