Thousands of food bank workers have signed a letter calling on the Prime Minister to increase benefits and to end the reliance on foodbanks.

The letter, written by Trussell Trust, Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) and Feeding Britain, warns that the ‘relentless rises’ in energy, food, and travel costs is forcing people to skip meals and rely on foodbanks.

Signed by over 3,000 volunteers and staff, the letter points out that many people have been struggling to afford the basics over the last 10 years, particularly after last year’s £20 cut to Universal Credit.

‘Over the last decade, increasing numbers of people have been pushed to the doors of food banks and other charitable food aid providers because they haven’t got enough money to buy food and other essentials. Since the cut to Universal Credit in October 2021 and the deepening cost of living crisis, the need for charitable food aid has steadily increased, reaching unprecedented levels,’ the letter said.

‘People who were already unable to afford food are being hit the hardest by relentless rises in energy, food, and travel costs. Every day we meet people who are skipping meals so they can feed their children and turning off their cooker or fridge so they can cover other essential costs. People who used to donate to food banks are now needing to seek our support. And the next 12 months look bleaker still.’

The charities will deliver the letter to the Prime Minister today.

Sabine Goodwin, coordinator, Independent Food Aid Network commented: ‘Charitable food aid providers across the UK are united in seeking to reduce the need for their services. Depending on overwhelmed food aid charities to fill an ever-increasing gap is no longer an option. The Government must address the poverty driving our deepening food insecurity crisis and first and foremost immediately uprate benefit payments in line with inflation.’