The number of people being driven to Kingston foodbank is expected to rise again this year.

Organisers expect to hand out 6,150 emergency food packages in 2014-15 – up from 5,492 in 2013-14, when 42 per cent of people gave benefit delays or changes as the reason they were referred.

Compared with opening day in December 2011 more frontline workers – doctors, social workers, job centre staff – can now refer people to the foodbank.

Even so, the number of packages handed out per week has doubled since then.

Organiser Paul Pickhaver said: “We are seeing new people each week.

“Something has happened there with a benefits system which is meaning more people are finding it hard.

“If you are going to sanction people you are going to put people in hardship. The other safety nets have been take away. People would have gone for a crisis loan.”

People in crisis include working families, he added.

Liberal Democrat leader leader Councillor Liz Green said: “The system that leaves people in these positions needs to be looked at, so there is less reliance on foodbanks, which should have been left behind years ago.”

But council leader Kevin Davis said: “It is inevitable that as more food bank services are known to be available that more referrals will come from those on benefits and we should not be surprised by that.”

Number of packages handed out by Kingston Foodbank

  • 2011-12    655 (From December 2011)
  • 2012-13    2716 
  • 2013-14    5492
  • 2014-15    6150 (predicted)

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “It is simply wrong to draw conclusions from these unverified and potentially misleading figures.

“Reforms to welfare are designed to bring fairness back to the system and help people into work.

“The vast majority of benefits are processed on time.”

People are given vouchers for three days’ worth of food to take to the food bank by front line professionals.

They can return up to three times in six months.

The foodbank has handed out 70 tonnes of food to date.

Research by homelessness charity Shelter has found 44 per cent of working families in the UK could only keep up with their rent or mortgage for a month if they lost work.

Pollsters also found 29 per cent of families have no savings at all and could face immediate eviction if laid off.

To find out how to donate food or volunteer, visit kingston.foodbank.org.uk.

Have you been referred to the foodbank? Contact us on 020 8722 6313 or email jon.sharman@london.newsquest.co.uk.