London food banks: The areas where food banks are most used as record numbers of parcels are handed out

A record number of emergency food parcels were handed out in London in the past year, new figures by the Trussell Trust reveal.

Over 454,000 emergency food parcels were provided in London to people facing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024, with more than 162,000 of these parcels provided for children- a 171% increase compared to five years ago.

This is the highest number of parcels distributed in a single year by the food banks in the charity’s network in London, a spokesperson said.

The Trussell Trust said two thirds of all support provided by its food banks in the capital last year was for families with children.

The report also revealed that London had 90,000 new food bank users for the first time last year, a 82% increase from five years ago and the biggest increase across all the UK.

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The charity has also seen a concerning increase in parcels going to pension-age households, with more than 40,500 parcels provided for pension age households in London, a 63% increase compared to last year.

Shahid Mughal, Interim Head of Food Services at Southwark Foodbank said: “We are consistently seeing unprecedented levels of need at Southwark Foodbank. Over the last twelve months, we’ve distributed 4,273 food parcels to local households who need our support, with 34% being families with children.   

 “Not being able to afford the essentials like food or heating has a huge impact on the wellbeing of people who need food banks. Many of the people we support are grappling with financial debt and the escalating cost of living, as well as dealing with physical or mental health conditions. 

 “With Universal Credit falling so far short, food banks like ours are under immense pressure and this cycle simply can’t continue.”

The charity is calling for “urgent reform of the social security system”, so it ensures everyone's income covers the cost of the essentials we all need in life. 

The top five areas in London by the number of parcels distributed between April 2023 and March 2024

Camden 66,776

Ealing 46,175

Barnet 29,599

Hammersmith 28,046

and Fulham

Lambeth 27,473

The Trussell Trust is warning that the next UK government cannot afford to ignore this issue and is urging all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive.

Emma Revie, the charity’s chief executive, said: "It's 2024 and we're facing historically high levels of food bank need. As a society, we cannot allow this to continue. We must not let food banks become the new norm.

"As we approach the next UK general election, we urgently need all political leaders to set out how they will build a future where no one needs a food bank to survive.

“Voters want to see a change and we need cross-government action at all levels to deliver it. We know what's pushing people to food banks, so we know what needs to change".

A government spokesperson said: “There are 300,000 fewer people in London in absolute poverty compared to 2010, and our £108 billion cost of living support package prevented 1.3 million people falling into poverty in 2022-23 nationally.

 “After boosting benefits and raising the State Pension, we’re putting more money in people’s pockets by raising the National Living Wage, cutting taxes and driving down inflation while investing billions through our Back to Work Plan to help over a million people break down barriers to work and become more financially secure.”