Millions going hungry in the UK – how to access a food bank if you need help

A new report from the charity Trussell shows that over 4.1 million people in the UK went hungry in the past year due to a lack of money. This is a sharp rise from 11.6 million in 2022.

Work no longer a guarantee against hardship

30% of people referred to Trussell food banks are in working households, a figure that has increased since 2022. This shows that having a job no longer protects people from falling into hardship.

Children among the hardest hit

More than 1 in 4 children (27%) now live in food-insecure households. Children under five are especially affected, as many parents struggle to afford even the basics.

Why are so many going hungry?

The main reason behind rising hunger and food bank use is very low incomes. According to Trussell, this is largely due to:

• problems in how the social security system is designed and delivered
• too many jobs being insecure, hard to access or low-paid
• wages that don’t cover the cost of essentials

The survey found that families referred to food banks have just £104 a week left after housing costs. This money has to cover everything, including food, bills, transport, toiletries and other basics.

To put that in perspective, it’s only 17% of what the average UK household has left after rent or mortgage payments.

These numbers reveal just how tough life is for many families today.

What is a food bank?

Food banks are community organisations that give out free food to tide you over for a few days if you’re struggling to make ends meet.

How to access a food bank

If you or someone you know needs support, here’s how to access a food bank:

Get a referral

You’ll usually need a referral from a local organisation, such as:

• Citizens Advice
• your local council
• GP or healthcare professional
• school, social worker or charity

They’ll assess your situation and give you a food bank voucher.

The voucher may be given to you physically or via email.

Check the details

Look over the voucher to see if it includes any specific instructions or expiry dates.

Find your nearest food bank

The referral agency will tell you where to go. You can also visit the Trussell website to find a food bank near you.

 You can find out more about how a food bank can help you by reading our guide.