Half a million Scots at risk of needing a food bank over the next year, charity warns
Trussell says one in six people in Scotland ran out of food in the past year and could not afford more, and is calling for the Scottish child payment to rise to £40 a week ahead of next month's Budget.
File image of a community food pantry. Trussell says 550,000 people in Scotland are at risk of needing a food bank in the coming year. · Photograph: Stillgood Admin (CC0)
More than half a million people across Scotland are at risk of needing to use a food bank over the coming year, according to a new report from anti-poverty charity Trussell.
The charity says 550,000 people are at risk, an increase of 25,000 people since 2024/25, according to economic analysis carried out for the report.
One in six ran out of food
A survey carried out by Ipsos on Trussell's behalf found that one in six people in Scotland (17%) said their household had run out of food in the previous year and could not afford to buy more.
One in 10 Scots (10%) said they had cut back on food in the previous three months to afford other essentials such as housing costs, transport to work or heating.
Disabled people and carers hardest hit
The charity said some groups are much more likely to go without. According to the survey, 28% of disabled people and 26% of carers in Scotland had run out of food and could not afford more – compared with 13% of people who are not disabled and have no caring responsibilities.
"Devastating"
Cara Hilton, senior policy manager for Trussell in Scotland, described the findings as "devastating".
"In every community, in every part of Scotland, people are skipping meals so their kids can eat, sitting freezing because they can't afford money for the meter," she said.
Calls ahead of the Budget
Ahead of the Scottish Government's Budget next month, Trussell is calling on Holyrood to reaffirm its commitment to ending the need for food banks in Scotland and to step up its efforts to tackle poverty.
The charity wants the Scottish child payment – currently paid to low-income families for each child under 16 – to be increased to at least £40 a week with immediate effect, and a longer-term commitment to raise it to £55 a week.
Pressure in Glasgow
Glasgow has some of the highest levels of deprivation in Scotland, and food banks and community pantries across the city have reported sustained demand since the cost of living crisis began. With winter energy bills approaching, charities warn that the months ahead are typically the hardest for struggling households.
Anyone who needs help can contact their local council or Citizens Advice Scotland, which can advise on benefits, grants and emergency support, including referrals to local food banks.