Food bank use remains 45% higher than before the pandemic, with food banks in the Trussell community providing the equivalent of one parcel every 12 seconds - or three days of emergency food for every person in Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow combined.
Trussell reported a 12% drop in the total parcel numbers compared to 2024, largely due to easing inflation – reflecting a slowdown in the rising cost of essentials – alongside fewer people losing their jobs.
Parents are among the people shouldering the heaviest burden as families with children received almost two thirds (62%) of all parcels in 2025, despite making up just 42% of the UK population.
Trussell is also reporting an alarming rise in hardship among older people. Support provided for people aged 65 and over more than tripled (247% increase) between 2019 and 2025.
Helen Barnard, director of policy and research at Trussell, said: “The figures show that too many people across the UK are still being pushed to the brink. Even as we gain hope from people getting back on their feet, we cannot lose sight of the heartbreaking injustice that such shocking numbers of people are still trapped in the grip of severe hardship.
“This isn’t right. Too many people are being forced to skip meals so their children can eat, or survive on cups of tea because they don’t have any food left in the cupboards. The pandemic and cost of living crisis have left deep scars. Severe hardship still weighs heavily on daily lives, leaving people feeling overlooked and left behind.
“We need the UK Government to continue to take meaningful and lasting action so all of us have what we need to get by. Bold choices like ending the two child limit are a step forward. But we cannot stop until everyone has enough to afford the essentials and we can end the need for food banks for good.”