Almost 200,000 in Northern Ireland at risk of needing food banks

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 06:18 · Archive

Almost 200,000 people in Northern Ireland are at risk of needing to use food banks, according to anti-poverty charity Trussell. New research conducted by Ipsos for the charity found that one in five people in the region ran out of food in the past year, unable to buy more.

Certain groups faced greater hardship. Among households with children, 35 per cent had run out of food and could not afford to buy more, compared to 14 per cent of households without children. Of disabled people, 36 per cent had run out of food and could not afford to buy more, compared to 15 per cent of non-disabled people. Among households with a disabled family member, 33 per cent had run out of food and could not afford to buy more, versus 14 per cent with no disabled household member.

Carers were particularly affected, with 39 per cent having run out of food and unable to afford more, compared to 16 per cent of those without caring responsibilities. One in seven people (14 per cent) had cut back on food in the previous three months to afford other essentials such as housing costs, transport to work, or heating.

Trussell welcomed action announced in the UK Budget to tackle the cost of living crisis. However, the charity urged the Stormont Executive to redouble its efforts to ensure more people in Northern Ireland can afford at least the essentials.

Ahead of fresh elections next year, Trussell called on all political parties to commit to a Northern Ireland where no-one is forced to rely on charitable food provision to survive.

How it is being reported

• Almost 200,000 in NI at risk of needing to use food banksBelfast Telegraph · 4 Nov, 00:01
• Almost 200,000 in Northern Ireland at risk of needing to use food banksFamilies with children, disabled people and carers, are more likely to go withoutBelfast Live · 4 Nov, 00:00
• Almost 200,000 in Northern Ireland at risk of needing to use food banksAlmost 200,000 people in Northern Ireland are at risk of needing to use food banks, an anti-poverty charity has said.News Letter · 3 Nov, 18:37

In this story: Northern Ireland · Trussell · Ipsos · Stormont Executive

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log