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Yet another study shows that the demand for assistance from food banks continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Information from Oxford University shows that the average distribution is now over 2 parcels per 100 people, which is over a 300 per cent increase since 2010. The lead researcher also notes that this number is probably greatly understated.

The data from Oxford University was published in the British Medical Journal and uses data from the Trussell Trust and other sources. This latest report supports many other studies that have been done over the last few years by MPs, churches, and others.

Who uses the food banks according to Oxford University

While there are now hundreds of food banks across the UK, the highest usage is from areas in which cuts to welfare have taken place. Additional requests are also coming from cities in which there is high joblessness, such as the Newcastle-upon-Tyne food banks, which should not be a surprise. In total, over 250 cities and districts in the UK now have at least one food bank operating in them.

Not only are there many more food banks operating in the country, but the usage is also increasing. There are now an estimated 2.2 parcels passed out for every one hundred people. This is an almost 40 % increase since 2010, and it is up from .6 per 100 people.

In addition to the benefit cuts and sanctions driving demand, there is also more usage from areas with more established food banks in them. This may be due to people knowing more about the services available to them. They may also feel more comfortable in using a food bank if the location is well know.

Collecting the data is a crude, intensive process. There is not one place to turn to for this information, which makes the reporting of the usage much more difficult. In fact, the main research is Ms. Loopstra, and she calls for even more research to be done to show the effects of food poverty in the UK.

Due to the struggling in receiving data, the Oxford University research has a note that says the usage is most likely understated. With the ongoing cuts to local services and central welfare benefits, in fact the number of people turning to a centre may be increasing at an even faster rate.

The Department for Work and Pensions claims they are spending billions on anti-poverty and safety new programmes. They also say the delay in accessing benefits continues to decrease each year, so people claiming they are turning to food banks due to a delay would be decreasing year on year. DPW also wants people to know that free advice and other services are always available to them as well.