MORE food parcels than ever were handed out by the Trussell Trust in Northumberland in the year to March, new figures show.

It says the rise is a product of problems with the UK's welfare system, not just the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

The charity distributes millions of food parcels every year – and the number rose again this year.

Figures show 2,966 food parcels were handed out in Northumberland in the year to March in the area's only distribution centre – more than double 1,921 in 2021-22.

This was the highest number of parcels provided since at least 2017-18.

Last year 1,065 of these parcels – 36 per cent – were given to children. In 2021-22 this was 667 (35 per cent).

Across the North-east, 154,403 parcels were handed out in the year to March – up 54 per cent from 100,334 the year before, and the largest increase of any English region.

Dale Dawson, manager of Hexham's Community Grocery Store, said he is not surprised more families are relying on food parcels.

"We've seen an upturn in footfall and demand, and we're seeing a reduction in the amount of food we're able to access which has not been helpful.

"The economic situation has worsened with high-interest rates, mortgages and wages not keeping up with inflation," Dale said.

He said the store is seeing more middle-income people relying on it.

"People are struggling to pay their gas and electric bills plus they've got inflation, so mortgages have gone sky-high. Now they're having to use places like the Community Grocery.

"It is inevitable if your bills have gone up and your wage hasn't. People are working but they're not earning enough to cover their basic costs.

"Churches are doing an awful lot to help communities in the area," Dale added. 

The Grocery Store is partnered with Hexham Community Church which supports families.

A total of 2,986,203 emergency food parcels were given UK-wide between April 2022 and March this year – up 37 per cent on the year before.

Figures cover parcels from the Trussell Trust but do not include emergency food supplies from other organisations.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We are committed to eradicating poverty and we recognise the pressures of the rising cost of living, which is why we have uprated benefits by 10.1 per cent as well as making an unprecedented increase to the National Living Wage this month."