A CALL for action has been issued after a sharp rise in the number of local children using foodbanks was revealed.

Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur spoke out yesterday as figures released by the Trussell Trust showed the number of food parcels given to kids in that area increased by 53 per cent last year.

In Mr Arthur’s constituency, which encompasses Johnstone, Elderslie, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch, Howwood, Barrhead, Uplawmoor and parts of Houston, Linwood, Newton Mearns and Neilston, a total of 1,469 deliveries were made to children between April 2017 and the end of March this year.

This is an increase of 960 from the previous year.

Mr Arthur said: “These figures are incredibly disappointing to read and it’s of great concern to see so many people in my constituency have required this help.

“The Trussell Trust have also highlighted the impact that Universal Credit rollout has on areas they serve, with a 53 per cent increase in foodbank use where it has been fully implemented.

“With Universal Credit planned on being implemented in my constituency from September this year, I worry that this poorly implemented reform will impact on the most vulnerable.

“As my recent question to the Minister for Social Security showed, the Scottish Government is putting as much support in place as they can and supporting families through the Scottish Welfare Fund, but Universal Credit service must be improved.

“It is heartbreaking that children here have been reliant on foodbank supplies but I am forever grateful to the staff, volunteers and those who donate for helping those who require it and my office continues to accept foodbank donations.”

Across the whole of Renfrewshire, a total of 8,681 three-day emergency food supplies were provided to people in crisis, compared to 7,215 in the previous year.

Of this number, 2,395 went to children.

Staff at Renfrewshire Foodbank believe the local increase is due to people struggling to cope with changes to benefit payments, insecure work and loss of funding to charities offering crisis support.

Elizabeth Alexander, Renfrewshire Foodbank manager, said: “We don’t want to be here forever. No one in Renfrewshire should need a foodbank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. With a benefits system that catches people before they fall into crisis and secure work that provides people with enough money to cover the cost of essentials, this is possible.

“But until that time, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most. We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community with no money for food are able to access emergency support – and that has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, time and funds.”