The use of food banks in Britain has risen once again, according to anti-poverty charity the Trussell Trust.
In a report published on Tuesday, the charity said that over 1,182,000 of their three day emergency food supplies were given to people in crisis in the past year.
According to the report, the East Midlands used over 55,000 three day emergency food packages since 1st April 2016.
The report also criticised the Universal Credit system, saying that the six week waiting period can have serious side effects such as: “food bank referrals, debt, mental health issues, rent arrears and eviction.” The charity said that these side effects can continue to harm individuals even after they receive their Universal Credit payments, as debt builds up.
The charity emphaised how the rise in their food banks’ use was not a new problem, and figures have been growing for several years.
Vice did a documentary back in April 2015 to highlight the issue, and the number of visitors to food banks has not dropped since.
LSJ contacted the Trussell Trust’s Lincoln branch but they refused to comment.
