A Kent food bank has reported a "disturbing" spike in demand since a £20-a-week uplift to benefit payments ended.

Universal Credit was temporarily raised during the pandemic to help those struggling financially.

But the bonus payment was removed by the government earlier this month, leaving many hard-up families out of pocket by at least £80 a month.

Canterbury Food Bank (CFB) has since seen a sharp increase in demand, which chair of trustees Martin Ward describes as “truly staggering and disturbing".

He says the first three weeks of October have seen more than twice as many people reaching out for help, compared to the same period last year when the country was in the throes of the pandemic's second wave.

The charity believes the massive hike is down to the removal of the Universal Credit uplift, along with a rise in the cost of living.

Food bank manager Angela Gardiner said: “It’s a perfect storm for our clients.

"We had the £20-a-week cut in Universal Credit on October 6, and now the cost of living is rising fast and people are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

“We have people coming to us who are afraid to turn on their heating.”

CFB gave out 1,809 meals between October 1 and 20 last year, while in the same period this year it gave out 3,663.

This marks an increase of 103%, while demand in September was just 43% up on last year.

The need for children's food parcels is rising faster than the need for adult parcels, showing many of those struggling in the Canterbury district are young families.

Mr Ward said: “We anticipated an increase in demand but are concerned by how steep that increase is.

“Our mission is to make sure no one goes hungry and, although that mission gets ever harder, we know the public will help support us in this aim.”

CFB says it expects the next set of figures to show an even bigger increase in demand, as low-income families across the district face "a very hard winter".

News of the dramatic rise in demand comes as Kent Conservatives have been accused of treating Universal Credit cuts as "a joke", after a councillor said a sweepstake has been held on when the issue would be raised at a recent meeting.

CFB welcomes donations and is also looking for seasonal volunteers to help pack and distribute food parcels through the winter months.

It is keen to hear from anyone with “a few spare hours each week” who is interested in either delivering food parcels to those in need, or helping in its warehouse in Whitstable’s Joseph Wilson Industrial Estate.

Anyone who can not afford to buy food can make contact with CFB via its website canterburyfoodbank.org or by ringing 01227 936450.

Those interested in volunteering should call the same number, or email volunteers@canterburyfoodbank.org.

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