A UK council has become the first to declare a cost of living emergency as foodbank usage surges.
Eastbourne foodbank has this year distributed more parcels per head than any other as the cost of living crisis deepens, the Trussell Trust network says.
The foodbank, a lifeline for some families now struggling more so than ever, handed out 17,440 emergency food parcels per 100,000 people last year, the charity added.
Councillor Josh Babarinde said the emergency declaration would help Eastbourne Borough Council work more effectively with charities. reports the Independent.
He said: "We need immediate action from the government – they have to realise that this cost of crisis has become an emergency because of their inaction.
"People are coming to me every day saying, “I don’t know how I’m going to get by”, There are parents who are skipping meals all the time so their kids can eat."
Councillor Babarinde said he has been speaking to residents who are avoiding using appliances in their home in a bid to save on energy bills.
He said one elderly lady has chosen to keep her TV switched off – which was her only company living alone.
The council’s motion is expected to lead to an emergency cost of living summit in Eastbourne where charities and foodbanks can work together to find ways to alleviate the burden on residents.
The motion also calls for Westminster to bring in a national windfall tax on oil and gas companies’ profits.
Across the country, other food banks have also reported disturbing stories of children with food poisoning after eating bad food from fridges their parents have turned off to save money.
Truro Food Bank in Cornwall said it had been told that other appliances were also not being used to save electricity as the cost of living crisis deepens.
Staff said they knew of some children going to school in unwashed clothes as people used washing machines less.
Truro Food Bank manager Simon Fann said demand had increased with contributions decreasing.
He said: "We have had reports of children having upset stomachs or in worst cases food poisoning because some parents are turning their fridges and freezers off overnight."
"The level of need we're experiencing is now going up and outstripping the donations we're getting at the moment.
"That might indicate that people who were able to donate are now struggling themselves.
"They're not sure about their own food security and so perhaps can't donate food in the way that they used to."
New research from the charity Action for Children said more than half of the families being supported by its crisis fund were on Universal Credit.
It said this suggested families on benefits were unable to meet basic living costs, particularly after the cut of the £20-a-week Universal Credit uplift brought in to help recipients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
