Emergency food parcel distribution in Northern Ireland April– September 2023 Background

Food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Northern Ireland have seen the highest levels of need for this period, even superseding the level reached during the pandemic Food banks in the Trussell Trust network in Northern Ireland distributed over 39,000 (39,344) emergency food parcels between 1 April to 30 September 2023. [...] I'm worried.” Food bank in the Trussell Trust network4 The rising cost of living has pushed figures even higher this year, but the scale of need seen in the first half of this year reflects the significant year on year growth we have seen in the last five years and beyond. [...] We noticed a reduction in referrals at the time of each payment being made.” – Food bank in the Trussell Trust network12 12 The research is based on an online survey by the Trussell Trust of 184 food banks in the Trussell Trust network across the UK. [...] Polling by YouGov on behalf of the Trussell Trust suggests that the public are particularly concerned with issues related to poverty and hunger in the UK and the majority of people in Northern Ireland (79%) think that food banks should not be needed in the UK.26 When it comes to how poverty and hunger can be solved in the UK, the vast majority (87%) of people in Northern Ireland believe ensuring e. [...] What this means for policy We welcome the action taken by the UK Government during the last two years to help mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis, particularly the decision last Autumn to uprate benefits with inflation and the provision of Cost of Living Payments.