Unacceptable numbers of us already teetering on knife’s edge with one in six people in Scotland running out of food in past year, unable to afford to buy more, Trussell says
ANTI-poverty charity Trussell reports that 550,000 people across Scotland in 2026/27 – have so little to get by on that they are at risk of needing to use a food bank. Analysis from WPI Economics shows that this includes an increase of 25,000 people since 2024/25.
A survey conducted by Ipsos on Trussell’s behalf shows that unacceptable numbers of us are already living on a knife’s edge day-to-day, going without food and making impossible sacrifices, the charity says.
One in six (17%) people in Scotland said that their household had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more in the previous year, according to the new research, with certain groups such as disabled people and carers, more likely to go without.
The charity is calling on the Scottish Government to redouble its efforts to ensure more people in Scotland can afford at least the essentials, by acting in the Scottish Budget to increase the Scottish Child Payment to at least £40 a week with immediate effect.
New figures from Trussell show one in ten (10%) people in Scotland have had to cut back on food in the previous three months to afford other essentials like their housing costs, transport to work, or their heating.
Alarmingly, certain groups in Scotland, such as disabled people and carers, are more likely to go without.
- Disabled people – 28% in Scotland had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more (compared to 13% of people who are not disabled)
- Households with a disabled family member – 25% in Scotland had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more (compared to 12% with no disabled household member),
- Carers – 26% in Scotland had run out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more (compared to 13% of those with no caring responsibilities)
The research also reveals that work is not protecting people from hardship – almost 1 in 5 (19%) working people in Scotland ran out of food and couldn’t afford to buy more.
In the Scottish Government’s Budget next month, Trussell is calling on the Scottish Government to reaffirm its commitment to ending the need for food banks in Scotland and update its action plan to deliver on this commitment.
The charity says it should start with getting more money into people’s pocket’s by boosting the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week with immediate effect and committing to a longer-term increase to £55 a week.
Cara Hilton, senior policy manager for Trussell in Scotland, said: “It’s devastating that half a million people in Scotland are at risk of needing to use a food bank. In every community, in every part of Scotland, people are skipping meals so their kids can eat, sitting freezing because they can’t afford money for the meter, feeling isolated and alone, not sure where to turn for support.
“Every day, people are pulling together across communities to make a difference – donating and getting emergency food to neighbours and providing advice and support so that people don’t need to turn to a food bank in the future. But together we can and must go further, particularly as prices rise once more.
“If we’re going to build the fairer Scotland we all want to see, we need politicians to take the heartbreaking scale of hunger in Scotland seriously. We need to invest now in a better future for children and for Scotland.
“The First Minister must renew the SNP’s promise to end the need for food banks in Scotland and take strong action in the Scottish Budget, to make sure more people in Scotland can afford the essentials and all children have a decent start in life.”
Pam from East Dunbartonshire, a former police officer who has been supported by a food bank, said: “Having had a career serving the community where I witnessed poverty and hardship on a daily basis, I didn’t ever believe I’d be on the other side of that fence. You never know what curveballs life will throw at you, though.
“We desperately need a society where if you trip and fall, there will be someone or something there to catch you rather than what happens now where a charity has to step in and help you pick up the pieces after you break.”
Fiona Dalgleish, manager of Peeblesshire Foodbank, said: “It’s not right that anyone in Scotland doesn’t have enough money to live on. Every week, our wonderful staff and volunteers provide a lifeline through emergency food parcels and practical support to everyone who needs it.
“We’re really worried about winter. We are doing everything we can to support people in our communities as the colder months close in. But the rising cost of food and energy will make it even harder for us to keep services running.
“Keeping the lights on and spaces open costs money, which is why any support you can give, whether that’s donating food or funds, will make a real difference.”