A record number of emergency food parcels were distributed in London last year, according to figures from the Trussell Trust.
More than 454,000 foodbanks were distributed by the trust's London network of food banks between April last year and March this year, more than ever before in any 12-month period. That's a 171 percent increase compared to five years ago.
London had the highest growth rate of any region in the UK last year.
The Trussell Trust said two-thirds of all support provided by food banks in the capital region last year went to families with children.
Shahid Mughal, Interim Director of Food Services at Southwark Foodbank, said: In the past 12 months, we have distributed 4,273 food parcels to local families in need. Of these, 34 percent are families with children.
“Not being able to afford essentials like food and heating has a huge impact on the well-being of people who rely on food banks.
“Many of the people we support are not only dealing with physical or mental health conditions, but also struggling with financial debt and rising costs of living.
“With a huge shortfall in Universal Credit, food banks like ours are under enormous pressure and this cycle cannot continue.”
The Trussell Trust has called on political parties to commit to tackling the issue ahead of the general election and called on them to support a “supportive social security system”.
Emma Levy, the charity's chief executive, said: “In 2024, we face historically high levels of food bank need. As a society, we cannot allow this to continue. you can't.”
The charity warned that the situation is unlikely to change in 2024/25 unless “bold action” is taken.
The report said “many people are on the edge of an economic cliff” as supplementary living allowances from the government are cut off.
The government has announced that its cost-of-living support measures have prevented 1.3 million people from falling into poverty in 2022-23.