Get emergency foodNew figures released today by Trussell reveal that more than 2.6 million emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hunger and hardship across the UK in 2025, as hunger continues to grip communities.
- The charity warns this is 45% more than before the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
- Trussell warns that people are feeling “overlooked and left behind” as the strain eases for some, while ongoing, day-to-day hardship continues to weigh heavily on other families across the UK.
- Families with children continue to be among the hardest hit, receiving 62% of parcels despite representing only 42% of the overall UK population.
- Severe hardship among older people is rising sharply, with parcels provided to people aged 65+ more than tripling (+247%) since 2019.
- Actor Christopher Eccleston and singer Tom Grennan join Trussell’s call on UK government to end the need for food banks.
Alarmingly, food bank use remains 45% higher than before the pandemic, with food banks in the Trussell community providing the equivalent of one parcel every 12 seconds - or three days of emergency food for every person in Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow combined.
Trussell reported a 12% drop in the total parcel numbers compared to 2024, largely due to easing inflation – reflecting a slowdown in the rising cost of essentials – alongside fewer people losing their jobs. While this means some people have been able to get back on their feet, the charity warns too many are feeling “overlooked and left behind” as incomes from social security and wages continue to fail to cover the high costs of essentials like food, utility bills, and toiletries.
Parents are among the people shouldering the heaviest burden as families with children received almost two thirds (62%) of all parcels in 2025, despite making up just 42% of the UK population. Trussell is also reporting an alarming rise in hardship among older people. Support provided for people aged 65 and over more than tripled (247% increase) between 2019 and 2025.
Food banks are describing the persistent hardship they witness as “appalling”, with people sitting in the dark to save electricity, parents skipping meals to feed their children, and people in such impossible situations that they open food parcels to eat before leaving the food bank.
At the same time, levels of need continue to outpace donations. Many food banks say they are at breaking point and are having to purchase significant amounts of food just to keep shelves stocked.
Helen Barnard Director of Policy and Research at Trussell, said: “Today’s figures show that too many people across the UK are still being pushed to the brink. Even as we gain hope from people getting back on their feet, we cannot lose sight of the heartbreaking injustice that such shocking numbers of people are still trapped in the grip of severe hardship.
“This isn’t right. Too many people are being forced to skip meals so their children can eat, or survive on cups of tea because they don’t have any food left in the cupboards. The pandemic and cost of living crisis have left deep scars. Severe hardship still weighs heavily on daily lives, leaving people feeling overlooked and left behind.
Slowing price rises alone cannot solve the scale of severe hardship still facing our communities. And as we face uncertain times again, progress can be too easily undone. We need the UK government to continue to take meaningful and lasting action so all of us have what we need to get by. Bold choices like ending the two child limit are a step forward. But we cannot stop until everyone has enough to afford the essentials and we can end the need for food banks for good.”
Amie, 45, from North Lincolnshire who has two children, said: “I had to use the food bank when my husband left and I lost my job in quick succession. I was able to access food through the food bank but still felt like I was floundering.
“I managed to get a temporary job, then set up my own business, but I still needed to access community food support.
“Unfortunately it didn’t work out with my business, but I managed to find work in a similar job. However, this is now at risk due to the lack of funding. I receive Universal Credit because my income from work isn’t high enough to support my family as a single mum. If I lose this paid work I will struggle to pay for even the essentials every month.
“I am worried that I may need to access a food bank again. Making sure my children eat will always be my priority. It’s a terrible state that we’re in where in 2026 so many people have to use food banks. Everyone should have enough money to afford the essentials.”
A host of famous faces including actor Christopher Eccleston, singer Tom Grennan, TV star Carol Vorderman and actors Mark Bonnar and Brian Cox are joining Trussell’s call to end the need for food banks across the UK.
Actor and Doctor Who star, Christopher Eccleston, said: “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.”
Singer, Tom Grennan, said: “It’s shocking how many people are having to turn to food banks to get by because they do not have enough money to live on. This is unacceptable.
“I’ve spent time volunteering at my local food bank and the conversations you have there stay with you. No one wants to go to a food bank for support. It’s where people turn when they have no other option.
“The fact that so many parcels go out to families with children is heartbreaking. It’s clear that the system isn’t working, and that too many people are just one step away from facing hunger and hardship.
"Food banks are a lifeline, but they aren’t the answer. Everyone should have enough money to cover the essentials like food and bills. That’s why I’m standing with Trussell to call for change. We need our politicians to commit to ending food bank need for good.”
With growing uncertainty around the cost of essentials, Trussell says now is the time for the UK government to build firmer foundations for people on the lowest incomes. The charity is calling on the UK government to:
- Lift the freeze on Local Housing Allowance and create a permanent link between rents and support, so more people are protected from runaway rental costs.
- Establish an independent process to advise on the minimum level of Universal Credit payments, moving us closer to an Essentials Guarantee that ensures the basic rate of Universal Credit always covers the cost of essentials and can never be pulled below that level.
Food banks need everyone to play their part to move us towards ending the need for emergency food in the UK. The public can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice in the year ahead by donating food or funds to Trussell or your local food bank to help end hunger in the UK.
Find out how many emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship in your local area.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- In 2025 (1 January – 31 December inclusive) these parcels were distributed from 1,671 locations operating in 289 local authorities across the UK.
- In 2025, 1,632,193 parcels were provided for families with children.
- In 2019, 26,037 parcels were provided for people aged 65+, increasing to 90,443 in 2025.
- ‘Emergency food parcel’: this typically is a three-day parcel containing emergency food for one person. Food banks also distribute seven-day parcels. For this release Trussell have simply combined both three-day and seven-day parcels together to report the total number of emergency food parcels that were distributed.
- Figures from Trussell cannot be used to fully explain the scale of food bank use across the UK. The Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) has identified at least 1,172 independent food banks while there are also Salvation Army food banks as well as food banks run from schools and hospitals. There are also thousands of other charitable food providers including soup kitchens and social supermarkets.
For interviews and press enquiries please contact the Trussell media team press@trussell.org.uk or call 020 3137 3699