In numbers: How south east people have become more reliant on food banks

The amount of people using food banks in the south east has increased dramatically over the past five years.

Rising inflation rates have caused more people to use food banks which could be a cause for the 177% increase since 2016.

Between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021, the amount of people using food banks across the south east excluding London had risen to 302,905 people.

The total amount of people using food banks has increased by 52% from the previous year.

The amount of adults using food banks has risen to 180,572 from 66,882 in 2016/17.

In 2019 to 2020 the amount of adults using food banks were 155,436 which is 25,136 lower than this years figures.

Not only adults but children are also having to turn to food banks for support.

In 2016 to 2017 there were 42,353 children using food banks which has risen up to 188% more with now 122,333 children using food banks.