Cost of living: Food banks used by 3% of UK families

About 3% of families successful the UK accidental they utilized a nutrient slope successful the past year, according to Department for Work and Pensions figures.

That roseate to astir 1 successful 9 (11%) for families receiving authorities income-related benefits.

Those successful the northbound of England and Scotland were astir apt to person utilized a nutrient slope successful the erstwhile 12 months compared to the remainder of the UK.

These are the archetypal authoritative figures connected UK nutrient slope usage.

The information was collected betwixt April 2021 and March 2022, truthful the figures screen immoderate of the pandemic but miss astir of the vigor terms crisis, which deed successful April 2022.

Food slope usage successful the erstwhile period was little common, with astir 1% of families saying they had utilized 1 - rising to astir 3% for families connected benefits.

Some 4% of families successful Scotland and the northbound of England had utilized a nutrient slope wrong the 12-month period, portion 3% had successful Wales, the West Midlands and south-east of England.

The fig fell to 2% for Northern Ireland, the East of England, eastbound Midlands and south-west of England.

It comes amid the continuing cost-of-living crisis, with prices rising much than expected, according to caller inflation figures released this week.