Middle-class families beg for food parcels in ‘Dickensian’ ordeal

JOB losses and welfare cuts have doubled the number of people who have become so desperate that they need food parcels and other hand-outs.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has described the crisis facing thousands of families as “Dickensian”. Among those in need of help are middle class families with mortgages of around £200,000 who have previously been comfortable but now find themselves on the breadline, charities say.

The number of people appealing for help through CAS has more than doubled in two years to 2,200 in 2011-12.

One of the key charities, the Trussell Trust, gave out 128,000 food parcels to people UK-wide in 2011-12, more than double the previous year. In the five months since 1 April, it has handed out more than 83,000 and expects to pass 200,000 over the course of the year.

Just 3,000 of those food parcels handed out since April have been in Scotland, but that is largely because the charity is still growing north of the Border.

Ewan Gurr, regional development manager for Scotland, said: “The trend that we’re seeing now is more families. People with a wife and two kids, who have lost their jobs and are now in a situation where they can no longer put food on the table.

“They might have £200,000 mortgages and food comes last on their list of priorities. Mums and dads are going without so their kids can eat.”

CAS cites welfare changes by the coalition government, low wages and rising living costs as issues that are driving poverty.

Margaret Lynch, CAS chief executive, said: “The report reveals a Dickensian situation facing many of Scotland’s low-paid workers and people who rely on welfare benefits.In this recession, there has been an exponential increase in the number of working families and people on benefits who are needing help to feed their children and themselves.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We have always argued for reform of the welfare system that is simpler, makes work pay and is fairer whilst maximising the potential for all people to work and live free from poverty.

“The Scottish Government is doing all we can within current powers to support families and individuals during these tough economic times including protecting free prescriptions and concessionary travel.”