‘I used to really feel disgrace for utilizing a meals financial institution – however asking for assistance is courageous’

New figures show over 2.6million emergency food parcels were provided to those in need last year – a 12% fall. But there are fears the Middle East conflict could reverse the fall

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Over 2.6million emergency food parcels were provided to those in need last year, shocking new figures show today.

The data from the food bank group Trussell shared with The Mirror shows need for the support 45% higher than pre-pandemic levels. In total there were 2,644,835 parcels distributed by Trussell’s food banks network in 2025. This is compared to an overall figure of 1,824,801 in 2019.

The data does show a 12% drop in total emergency food parcels last year – compared to 2024 when 2,996,653 emergency food parcels were given out. But there is concern the Middle East conflict could reverse the recent fall.

Helen Barnard, director of policy and research at Trussell, told The Mirror: “Last year we saw the numbers of people forced to turn to a food bank start to come down, as inflation eased – but millions still face hunger, unable to afford the essentials we all need.”

She added: “Now, global events bring back the awful possibility of another spike in inflation, which could drive more people even deeper into hardship and pile pressure on food banks already at breaking point. It’s vital the government strengthens the systems that should be there to support people facing the greatest hardship and prevents any future surge in inflation driving more people to the doors of food banks.”

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Trussell found families with children among the hardest hit – representing 62% of those who received emergency support last year. And they reported an alarming 247% increase among older people over the age of 65 turning to support between 2019 and 2025.

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Single mum Laura, who lives on the Wirral, volunteers with Trussell but told The Mirror she has been forced to turn to emergency food parcels. The first time was around a decade ago when her son was just two-years old.

She said: “As a single parent the main thing that was going through my mind is how much of a failure I was as a parent that I could provide food for my child. Now I look back I wish I didn’t feel like this and this is what I say to other people if they are scared to use a food bank – all I felt was embarrassment and guilt and shame that I was having to go to a food bank. I tell everyone that shouldn’t feel embarrassed, or ashamed, or a failure.

“By walking through those doors you are providing for your child. It might not be in the way you wanted it to be in. But by doing nothing, that’s when you fail your children. By actually stepping out and asking for help that’s brave.”

Laura was turned to support once again back in January after being forced to move properties due to her flat being sold by the owner. She said: “The [new] flat is more expensive but it’s the cheapest one I could find. I think what is mainly the struggle at the minute is the shortfall in rent. This flat is £550 a month and I get £425 in housing allowance. So I have to find the rest. And then the gas bill has gone up.”

The 39-year-old added: “There’s a lot of people coming back to food banks like me, who have used them food banks in the past but now they are having to come back and use them again.”

In a message to the government, she went on: “I’d love the government to understand food banks are not the solution. The government is the solution – they need to do better. I think they are using food banks like a plaster on-top of a volcano. There’s only so much food banks can do – and yes they are doing a great job at what they are doing. But it’s not good enough. It’s the government that needs to do more.”

Actor and Doctor Who star, Christopher Eccleston, a Trussell supporter, added: “Today, Trussell’s shocking new figures show that millions of people are being forced to turn to food banks because they don’t have enough money to live on. This isn’t right. Everyone should be able to afford the essentials like food, utility bills and toiletries. They are not luxuries, but they have become them to people living on the lowest incomes because work or social security just isn’t enough.

“Hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem, it’s an income problem. Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it most – but right now, it’s not enough to cover the cost of the essentials and it’s pushing people to food banks. That’s why I’m standing with Trussell to call on the UK Government to make policy changes so that everyone can afford the essentials we all need to get by.”

Trussell is now calling on the government to lift the freeze on local housing allowance to protect renters and ensure the basic rate of Universal Credit covers the cost of essentials.

A Government spokesperson said: “Food bank use is a blight on the country and although it has gone down since 2024, we are determined to do more. To help to support families with the cost of living, we have increased the National Living Wage, will take £150 off average energy bills, and are launching our £1bn multi-year Crisis and Resilience Fund to help prevent households falling into crisis in the first place. In addition to this, thanks to our decision to scrap the two-child limit and measures in our wider Child Poverty Strategy, we will lift 550,000 children out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament – the largest reduction in child poverty since records began.”