Malvern Hills Foodbank provided 1493 three-day emergency food supplies to local people in crisis in the year up to March.

This compared to 1451 in the previous year. Of this number, 526 went to children.

The foodbank, a member of The Trussell Trust’s network which has today reported a UK-wide increase foodbank use, believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments and issues with Universal Credit in the area.

Malvern Hills Foodbank shares the concerns of other foodbanks in Universal Credit rollout areas, highlighted today by The Trussell Trust in a new report about the difficulties some people are experiencing.

The foodbank has provided emergency food to an increasing number of single adults with no dependent children: 307 in the year ending 31st March 2018 compared with 232 in the previous year and 197 in the year before that, a 50per cent increase in just two years.

Single adults with no dependent children must now claim Universal Credit and the increasing number of such clients is a likely result of the adverse impact of the initial wait, the lack of available statutory support, the inability of Universal Credit payments to cover the cost of living, and poor administration.

As part of a national network campaigning for change, the foodbank is working hard to offer practical emergency support to help prevent people affected going hungry, whilst simultaneously participating in vital research and raising awareness about the issues local people are facing.

Peter Buchanan, Chair of Trustees, said: “We don’t want to be here forever. No one in Malvern Hills, or indeed in the UK, should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food.

"It doesn’t have to be this way - with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials, this is possible.

"But until that time, we will continue to provide vital support when it matters most - we’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support, and that has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds. Thank you.”