The district's foodbank distributed 25 per cent more emergency food parcels last year than in the previous 12 months, new figures have revealed.

Trussell Trust’s Braintree Area Foodbank gave out 1,466 parcels between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018, compared with 1,150 the previous year.

Out of this number, 1,283 - or more than 87 per cent - were distributed to families with children.

Foodbank bosses believe this increase is down to issues with the switch to the Government’s Universal Credit benefits system, which was rolled out in October.

Vanessa Green, PR manager of Braintree Area Foodbank, said: “We don’t want to be here forever.

“No one in the Braintree District area should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to people needing emergency food at all.

“It doesn’t have to be this way - with a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis, and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials, this is possible.”

Nationally, Trussell Trust said it gave out 1.3 million food parcels last year - an increase of 13 percent.

Mrs Green continued: “Until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most.

“We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support, and that has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by people in donating food, time and funds.”

Braintree Area Foodbank costs approximately £40,000 per year to run.

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