FOODBANK use in Pembrokeshire is increasing, according to the organisations which give out emergency food parcels in the county.

According to the Trussell Trust’s latest annual figures, there has been an increase in demand of 30 per cent on its foodbanks, while hardship charity PATCH has said the first three months of this year have revealed a similar increase in need for its services compared to 2018.

Pembrokeshire Foodbank, run by the Trussell Trust, provided 2,113 three day emergency food parcels to local people between April 2018 and March 2019. Of this number, 881 went to children.

The local food bank’s figures feed into a larger national picture with a record increase in food bank use across the UK reported today by the Trussell Trust.

The figures from Pembrokeshire Foodbank are a 30% increase on the same period last year. The charity believes the local increase is due a heightened awareness and referral to its service from concerned local statutory and charitable bodies for people presenting in food poverty.

The charity said it has noted people are struggling from continued issues with benefit payments, including due to the five-week wait caused by Universal Credit changes.

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Theri Bailey, Pembrokeshire Foodbank Manager, said: “No one in Pembrokeshire should need a food bank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.

“However, until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.”

PATCH, the hardship charity which provides food parcels and basic amenities across Pembrokeshire, counts its yearly records from January to December, rather than by the financial year.

Tracy Olin, the manager of PATCH, said there did not appear to be an overall increase based on its latest full figures.

“We gave around 3,500 parcels which was similar to the previous year. So our stats disagree with the increase,” she said.

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However, when PATCH compared January to March 2019 with the same three months in the previous year there was an increase of more than 200: from 842 to 1091.

“The thing I’m noticing though is every year the situations are worse and problems that cause a need for food parcels seem to be lasting longer,” added Tracy.

“This year so far we have seen an increase, I don’t know the amounts of hand. The increase is mostly Universal Credit and sanctions.”

Tracy added: “Poverty isn’t just being addressed by food banks or in our case basics banks, but all agencies working together in prevention as well as crisis management in Pembrokeshire.”

What the politicians have said

Stephen Crabb, MP for Preseli-Pembrokeshire, said: “There are many reasons why some people may find themselves at a point of financial crisis in their lives and needing help with food and other essentials. There is usually a mix of different factors involved at the same time. Changes to benefits can certainly play a role along with other things. The recent changes to Universal Credit should help reduce the time between a claim being made and when money is received.”

He added: “It is important that people using food banks receive support with the full range of issues in their lives - whether that is overcoming longstanding debts, help with budgeting, or overcoming different forms of addiction. Local job centres have become much better at providing information about local services that can help with these things.”

MP for west Carmarthenshire and south Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart, said: “Moving across from one system to another has been fraught with challenges so I will not deny for a moment that problems have occurred.

“That said, I stand by the ambition to reach a position where the benefit system is fair, as simple and as generous as possible for those in real need.

“I also yearn for the day that politicians can work together in this endeavour rather than use other people’s hardship to further their own careers.”

Marc Tierney, Labour parliamentary candidate for south Pembrokeshire said: “The sharp rise in food bank use over the last year is shocking. More and more families with children in our county are being forced to access this emergency support.

“The Tories have no plan to support those who need it. What is clear is that cuts to social security, help for families and the five week wait for Universal Credit payments are increasing poverty and financial hardship.

“Labour will end the benefits freeze, stop the rollout of Universal Credit and ensure that our social security system supports any one of us should we need it.”