THE boss of Taunton Foodbank blames "issues" over a Government benefit for record numbers of people at risk of going hungry, according to figures released today (Tuesday).

A staggering 4,900 three-day emergency food supplies were handed out to people in Taunton in the year to the end of last month - up from 4,356 over the previous 12 months. Of those, 1,837 went to children.

It's a similar story across the rest of the country and Taunton Foodbank manager Sue Weightman believes people are struggling due to problems with benefit payments, in particular Universal Credit.

She said clients are forced to apply for food handouts due to the adverse impact of the initial wait for UC payments, its inability to cover the cost of living and difficulty in adapting to monthly payments.

She added: "We don’t want to be here forever.

"No-one in Taunton Deane 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."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said the reasons people use foodbanks are "complex" and it is wrong to link a rise in use "to any one cause".

She said £90 billion is spent a year on welfare, adding: "The best way to help people improve their lives is through employment, with people on Universal Credit moving into work faster and staying in work longer."

As part of a national network campaigning for change, the foodbank is working hard to offer practical emergency support to help prevent people affected going hungry, while simultaneously participating in vital research and raising awareness about the issues local people are facing.

The running costs of Taunton Foodbank are around £24,500 a year, all of which is raised locally to enable it to continue its work.

Costs include warehouse space to sort and stock donated food, a part-time paid manager and other overheads like utilities and insurances.

A total of 4.7 tonnes of food was donated to Taunton Foodbank by members of the public in the year to the end of March.

Anyone interested in helping the foodbank with funding should clink here.