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Trussell Trust Reports 2.6 Million Food Parcels in 2025 as Need Persists Despite 12% Fall

Charity figures highlight severe strain on families with a sharp rise among older people, prompting fresh pressure on parties before the Holyrood vote.

Overview

  • Trussell Trust distributed 2,644,835 emergency food parcels in 2025, a 12% drop from 2024 yet roughly 45% higher than 2019.
  • Families received about 62% of support while parcels to people aged 65 and over have risen 247% since 2019, indicating deepening hardship for older households.
  • In the North West, nearly 300,000 parcels were issued—around 820 a day—with some food banks warning donations are not keeping pace with need.
  • Trussell called for an Essentials Guarantee in Universal Credit and an end to the two‑child limit as the UK Government cited a higher National Living Wage, £150 off energy bills and a £1bn crisis fund.
  • In Scotland, 218,838 parcels were provided in 2025, including 67,752 for children, as celebrities such as Brian Cox urged election pledges to end reliance on food banks.