Scots are more concerned about poverty than other parts of the UK, according to a foodbank charity. Research from the Trussell Trust showed that 52 per cent of Scots said poverty is the most important issue in the UK. This was much higher than the UK public overall which was at 40 per cent.
Two thirds believe that hunger could affect their own family, friends or neighbours, compared to 56 per cent UK-wide. Some 58 per cent of Scots do not think the social security system is doing a good job of protecting people from poverty, compared to 44 per cent of the UK public. While 83 per cent believe that foodbanks should not exist in a modern society – this is higher than the UK rate of 75 per cent.
Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said: “As a proud Scot, I grew up in a community where people cared passionately about supporting each other. My work with food banks across the country shows me that the same love for community and our neighbours is still there, and that Scots always do what they can to stand alongside people facing hardship.
“The new year should be a time to look forward with positivity and hope, but too many people will be struggling to put food on the table. That’s why we need your support now, more than ever, to help ensure food banks can continue to provide a warm welcome and support.”
The Trussell Trust recently revealed that the number of people facing hunger and hardship in Scotland is at record levels – 670,000 people in Scotland. This is a 24 per cent increase in the last 20 years.
Lori Hughes, Project Manager of Perth and Kinross Foodbank, said: “This winter has been one of our toughest challenges yet. Not just in meeting the levels of need, but in navigating the complexity of circumstances many of the people who need our services face. The goodwill and generosity of people across Scotland, to stand alongside communities experiencing hardship and crisis demonstrates the age old Scottish saying, ‘We’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns’.
“This tradition of being welcoming, considerate and compassionate has enabled us to support our community for over a decade and we ask that you, together with our team, continue to be at the heart of our fight against hunger as we enter a new year”
The Trussell Trust supports 133 food banks across Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government recognises the pressure on household budgets which is why the 2025-26 draft budget continues to allocate over £3 billion a year to policies which tackle poverty and the cost of living.
“Food insecurity is driven by insufficient and insecure household income which is why we continue to call on the UK Government to deliver an Essentials Guarantee, which the Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimate could lift 140,000 people in Scotland out of poverty this year.
“We are taking forward 9 actions over 3 years, 2023-2026, to improve the response to crisis, using a Cash-First approach so that fewer people need to turn to food parcels.”
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