THE number of three-day emergency food supply packages being delivered by a county charity has jumped by more than a third in the last year.

More than 3,800 people – including 1,400 children – were helped by East Lothian Foodbank over the last 12 months.

The startling figures show that the number of people being referred to the Tranent-based charity continues to rise, with a 37 per cent increase in the number of emergency food supply packages handed out between April 2016 and March this year, compared to the same period in 2015-16.

Peter Dicker, foodbank manager, was worried by the figures.

He said: “It is deeply concerning that we are still seeing an increase in the number of three-day emergency food supplies provided to local people in crisis in East Lothian over the last year.

“Anybody could find themselves in need of the foodbank.

“Every week, people are referred to us after being hit by something unavoidable – such as illness, a delay in a benefit payment or an unexpected bill – meaning food is simply unaffordable.”

The newly-released figures come little over a month since a report found that nearly half of all pensioners in East Lothian were found to be living in fuel poverty. The East Lothian Poverty Commission highlighted that 49 per cent of pensioners were forced to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on energy bills – while up to 30 per cent of children in the county were living below the poverty line.

A total of 1,881 emergency food supply packages were provided to local people in crisis by East Lothian Foodbank during 2016-17, compared to 1,369 in 2015-16.

Over the last year, local people have donated 34,209 tonnes of food to the foodbank and more than 40 volunteered to help.

Local schools, businesses and faith groups have provided vital support, enabling the charity to give three days’ nutritionally balanced food and support to people in crisis.

One of the concerns regarding the rise in usage has come on the back of the new Universal Credit benefit system rollout.

The six-week-plus waiting period for a first payment can contribute to debt, mental health issues and rent arrears and the effects can last even after people receive their Universal Credit payments, as bills and debts pile up.

County MP George Kerevan said he regularly recommended constituents to the foodbank, with problems with Universal Credits among the reasons.

He said: “This is a benefits system rolled out by an uncaring Government which has only one object – to force people into work, whether they are capable of it or not – and the six-week waiting period is cruel in the extreme.

“We also have constituents phoning on Fridays, frightened that their benefit payments may have been delayed and they will have no money for the weekend.

“I have the utmost respect for everyone who volunteers at the foodbank and everyone who donates food, including the supermarkets, who can be very generous. But it shouldn’t be necessary. There is something very wrong with our society if we cannot look after our poor, our sick and our unfortunate.”

Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian, was unsurprised to see East Lothian Foodbank’s figures on the rise, as they are across the UK.

He said: “The volunteers and staff do a fantastic job supporting local people in crisis, but it cannot ever be acceptable for so many families to be facing food poverty. While the UK Government’s welfare changes are the root cause of much of the increase in emergency food parcels, many of those accessing help are also in work but simply unable to make ends meet. New welfare powers are coming to the Scottish Parliament and helping those experiencing food poverty should be an early priority.”

East Lothian Council chief executive Angela Leitch said: “The use of foodbanks has a clear connection with evidence of poverty across the county and East Lothian Council has been fully supportive of the foodbank.

“In addition to helping them with premises and providing £15,000 annually in partnership funding, the council also works closely with them to identify and refer people who would benefit from their support.

“The council works in tandem with the foodbank to support vulnerable people on low incomes through the provision of community care grants and crisis grants via the Scottish Welfare Fund.

“In addition, a range of East Lothian Council staff have been instrumental in supporting individuals and families facing financial hardships.”

As well as providing emergency food, the foodbank provides essentials like washing powder, nappies and sanitary products to families who are struggling and welcomes any donations.

Members of the public can be referred to the foodbank by doctors and social workers, as well as Citizens Advice Bureau and the Scottish Welfare Fund.

For more information, go to eastlothian.foodbank.org.uk