UNIVERSAL Credit problems are driving an increase in the number of emergency parcels handed out at food banks in Worcestershire, a charity has claimed.

The Trussell Trust said its network provided 7,216 emergency supplies in the area between April and September. Of those, 4,753 were for adults and 2,463 for children.

That’s a 16 per cent increase on the same period in 2017, when 6,238 food parcels were handed out.

Dot Hayes of Malvern Hills Food bank, said: “Universal credit has not generally stated in the Malvern area, but we are aware of the problems that have occurred elsewhere, and we very much feat that the same thing will happen here when it is introduced next year.

“”This means that we will once again be relying on the generosity of Malvern people to keep the food bank stocked and to allow us to continue our work of helping those individuals aned families who are trapped in difficult circumstances.

National research by the charity showed that delays with Universal Credit are the main reason for food bank referrals. The Government said it was “wrong to link a rise to any one cause”.

The trust expects these numbers to rise towards the end of the year, as people typically collect more food parcels over winter.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, which supports 428 food banks across the UK, said: “Our benefits system is supposed to anchor any of us from being swept into poverty, but if Universal Credit is to do that, we need to see urgent changes.

“It’s not right that people are being forced to use food banks after weeks of waiting for Universal Credit payments. The changes announced in the budget are a good start - but they won’t solve all of the problems food banks see, and they won’t help people making new claims this winter.

“We’re seeing soaring levels of need at food banks. If the five-week wait isn’t reduced, the only way to stop even more people being forced to food banks this winter will be to pause all new claims to Universal Credit, until funding is in place to reduce the five-week wait.

“Food banks cannot continue to pick up the pieces - we have to make sure our benefits system can protect people from hunger.”

Across the wider region, the number of food parcels handed out increased by 16 per cent over the time period.