THE use of foodbanks has rocketed a staggering 150 per cent across Worcestershire in just one year- smashing through the 10,000 barrier for the first time.

Councillors have labelled the shock data as "a tragedy" and "disgraceful" after the last year saw the rise in foodbank usage outstrip both national and regional averages.

In 2012-13 4,363 people in the county used a foodbank, but in 2013-14 it surged to 10,868, a 147 per cent hike.

Of that tally, the number of children under 16 visiting them leapt 162 per cent, from 1,436 to 3,792.

The findings appear to fly in the face of the economic improvements, with more people in work and off benefits.

A panel of politicians at Worcestershire County Council, which collated the data by working with foodbank operators, are now calling for a series of hard-hitting measures to help the situation, including:

- Talks with members of the public and parish councils to see if new "emergency food parcel pick-up points" can be created for those needing help outside local foodbank operating hours

- Asking schools to teach children basic household budgeting and cookery lessons at a young age to assist their families

- A publicity drive to end the "social stigma" of foodbanks, after the council investigation found many pensioners were too embarrassed to use them

Although foodbanks referrals have rapidly increased around the country, over the last year the West Midlands rise is 125 per cent, and nationally it is 130 per cent.

Members of the county council's overview and scrutiny board, which conducted the investigation, found some of the reasons people use them include benefit changes, delayed wages, job losses, sickness, debt, domestic violence and people being refused crisis loans.

The Trussell Trust, which operates seven of the 10 foodbanks in Worcestershire, said it was a "last resort" for people.

Councillor Chris Bloore said, a member of the panel, said: "It's not a tragedy, it's a national disgrace.

"It's a disgrace 4,000 of our children have to use foodbanks and a disgrace thousands of others need them to be fed.

"Because this is an affluent county it's perceived as not a problem, but the report shows this is where the problem is at its worst."

Councillor Richard Udall, who chairs the panel, labelled it a "crisis", saying: "I'm angry as a member of the human race.

"My anger is that in a wealthy, 21st century country so many people are reliant on food parcels, whatever the reasons."

Councillor Andy Roberts said: "These people find themselves in a chasm, we've got to do all we can to help them get out."

Cllr Udall highlighted concern from the Trussell Trust that many people are "one pay packet away" from having to use a foodbank.

The report will be sent to the council's leadership, all MPs and the Department for Work and Pensions.

'Demand is going up every month'

VOLUNTEERS at local foodbanks say the figures do not lie and demand for their services is growing “month on month”.

Latest statistics show use of foodbanks has shot up by more than 150 per cent in the last year in Worcestershire.

In Worcester, the foodbank has supported 4,469 people this year, 3,103 adults and 1,366 children.

In the north of the county, Redditch Foodbank has been used by 1,004 people, and Kidderminster by 3,501.

The new Droitwich Foodbank has only just opened, so no figures have been recorded yet.

At Malvern Hills Foodbank, in Malvern, 1,499 people – 876 adults and 623 children – have received food this year.

This equates to a total of 12,615kg of food, or 30,276 meals.

Last year, the foodbank handed out 9,362kg of food from its opening in February to the end of the year.

Mike Hayes, a trustee of Malvern Hills Foodbank, believes the huge rise in the number of people using foodbanks both nationwide and here in Worcestershire is due to benefit changes made by the Government.

In 2014, there has already been more food handed out by the scheme than in the entirety of last year.

As we head into winter, the number of people using the foodbank is expected to rise even further.

Mr Hayes said: “We’re seeing an increase month on month and quarter on quarter.

“By the end of September this year we had given out more than we did all of last year.

“We expect to see a big increase by the end of the year.”

Mr Hayes said the foodbank has had to redouble its collection efforts just to keep up as the number of users has rocketed.

“The main reason people tell us is because benefits have changed or been delayed,” he added.

“They (the Government) have insisted on changing the system and are generally cutting peoples’ benefits instead of dealing with what the real problem is.”