A GLASGOW food bank has expressed concerns over the rising number of people making use of the service they provide in light of the cost of living crisis.
Staff at the Glasgow South-East Food bank say they’re seeing fewer food donations coupled with an increase in the number of people coming to them for help.
Analysis from the Office for National Statistics has found the prices of basic necessities like pasta (+50%), bread (+16%) and rice (+15%) have all risen since April 2021.
Speaking to The National, Glasgow SE Foodbank manager Audrey Flannagan said: “We have seen an increase in the number of single households.
“We do get families coming in but not to the extent we’re seeing with single people living themselves.
“For me, when I’m talking to people, they’re saying the fuel increase alongside increases in gas and electric have had a real impact on them.”
READ MORE: SNP's Pete Wishart: Even Tories now admit Brexit making cost of living crisis worse
The food bank also said they were feeling the effects of a lack of “bargain deals” in supermarkets because everything has increased and people don’t have spare food they might have otherwise donated.
Flannagan added: “The reality is we shouldn’t exist and that is what we’re always working towards but we’re not foolish and while we thought we were coming to an end at one-point last year, this crisis has shown us that’s not the case.
“There’s not enough quantity coming in for us to be able to give out.”
In light of increasing food prices, the SNP have warned Chancellor Rishi Sunak “must do more” to tackle the cost of living crisis.
SNP shadow chancellor Alison Thewlis said: “Despite the Chancellor’s announcement last week, households across the four nations remain unable to make ends meet, with food prices and energy bills continuing to soar.
“By reversing the Universal Credit cut, scrapping the regressive National Insurance tax hike, introducing a real living wage to boost incomes and following the Scottish Government’s 6% uprating of benefits, the UK Government could put money into the pockets of those struggling the most, as well as supporting businesses.
“The Chancellor failed to deliver this.
“Instead of focusing on saving their own skin, and arguing that Brexit has benefited the UK when it is manifestly making us poorer, the Tories must deliver a comprehensive package of support that will tackle the cost of living with Westminster crisis.”
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