FOODBANK use in Scotland has risen by 15 per cent and Universal Credit will only make things worse, according to a leading charity.

The Trussell Trust’s foodbank network in Scotland provided 87,981 emergency supplies to people in crisis between April and September 2018.

That is up 15 per cent on the same period in 2017.

The charity now claims the five week minimum wait for a first Universal Credit payment must be reduced or more people will be forced to use foodbanks this winter.

Laura Ferguson, Trussell Trust’s Scotland operations manager in Scotland, said: “The changes announced in last week’s Budget are a good start but they won’t solve all the problems foodbanks see, and they won’t help people making new claims this winter.

"The time to act is now.

"If the five week wait for Universal Credit isn’t reduced, the only way to stop even more people being forced to foodbanks this winter will be to pause new claims to Universal Credit until the system has the funding to properly support people."

The Trussell Trust said Universal Credit is not the only benefit people at foodbanks are experiencing problems with, but the new system is increasingly driving referrals due to benefit delays.

Every foodbank in Scotland in The Trussell Trust’s network is now in an area of full Universal Credit.

Foodbanks typically receive more referrals for emergency support during the second half of the financial year, raising concerns that foodbank use this winter will rise further, as hardship experienced annually during the colder months is compounded by more people left waiting at least five weeks for benefit payments.

Ms Ferguson added: “In a country that created a benefits system to anchor people from poverty because it is the right thing to do, it is imperative that when any of us are faced with illness, disability, family breakdown or job loss, sufficient financial support is in place.

"Unfortunately, the soaring use of foodbanks we are seeing in Scotland shows us that this is simply not the case, and that is not right.

“It’s completely unacceptable that anyone is forced to turn to a foodbank in Scotland."

A national petition calling on the Government to fix Universal Credit from the End Hunger UK campaign, backed by The Trussell Trust and a range of charities and faith groups, will be delivered to 10 Downing Street tomorrow.