The use of food banks in Aberdeen has shot up by almost 30% in a year.
The shocking new figures reveal that 442 more families in the Granite City were given three days of supplies between April and September this year compared to the same period in 2015.
And Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman branded the increase “disgraceful”.
The Trussell Trust statistics highlighted a decline in food bank use elsewhere in the north of Scotland, with around 200 fewer Highland families requiring aid this summer compared to last year.
Ewan Gurr, the Scotland Network Manager for the trust, described the latest figures as both positive and negative.
He said: “These mid-year figures show the highest increase in food bank use to date in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire with over 3,000 referrals to the four Trussell Trust foodbanks in the last six months.
“The national figures show nothing short of an epidemic of hunger driven by delays and changes to benefits, but also low income which has seen a sharper rise than ever before and this is seen clearly in the north east.
“We have seen the direct impact, as others have, of the industrial implosion in oil and gas, not only from those who have worked in the industry, but also other voluntary organisations and local businesses who have been forced to make redundant staff due to cutbacks.”
Ms Blackman agreed that the rise in food bank use in Aberdeen was deeply concerning – and placed the blame on the UK Government for introducing changes to benefit payments.
She added: “It is a disgrace that, at the same time we are told food bank use increases are due to benefit delays and changes, the UK Government is reducing the maximum support available for families.
“Whilst the Scottish Government is implementing its limited new welfare powers and has increased the living wage, Conservatives in power at Westminster are cutting support for low-income families and unemployed people across the country.”
However, a spokeswoman for the UK Government denied changes to welfare were responsible for the rise in food bank use in Aberdeen.
She said: “Reasons for food bank use are complex, so it is misleading to link them to any one issue and the vast majority of benefits are processed on time.
“We know that work is the best route out of poverty and employment is at a record high. But for those who need extra support, we provide a strong safety net through the welfare system, including hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans.”
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