Wales needs a plan to reduce the need for foodbanks similar to that in Scotland, according to an MS for North Wales. 

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales MS, recently visited Wrexham’s Tesco store with members of Wrexham Foodbank, who are preparing for the busiest time of the year. 

Wrexham Foodbank has already delivered more than 5,000 food parcels to local people in need. Last year it fed 3,6016 children as well as adults by delivering 10,550 parcels.

Mr Gruffydd said: “The work done by foodbanks across Wales like this one in Wrexham is heartwarming but it’s becoming more difficult as people generally struggle with the cost-of-living crisis and have less to give.

Llyr Gruffydd MSLlyr Gruffydd MS (Image: Submitted) “The support that food banks provide is often essential – ensuring families have enough to survive on at critical times in their lives.

“However, this masks the ongoing and deep-lying crisis many people face – there are unacceptably high levels of poverty and hardship across Wales. We have one in six children that are growing up in homes where families are cutting back on essentials – such as food and bills – or are at risk of doing so. Where people are going without the essentials, struggling to afford food, heat their homes and attend medical appointments. Where work is not providing a reliable route out of hardship, housing costs are forcing people to go without food to pay their rent, and disabled people and people with health conditions are not afforded the dignity and support needed for a decent life.

“Foodbanks run by volunteers can’t hope to answer all these deep-seated problems and it’s impossible not to feel angered and shocked by the stories.

“Research from Trussell, which coordinates foodbanks across Wales, shows that 420,000 people are facing hunger and hard[1]ship in Wales. Children are most at risk of hunger and hardship – it affects one in six children in Wales (17%) .

“Without targeted action from both the UK and Welsh governments, thousands more people in Wales are expected to be pulled into hunger and hardship over the next couple of years. It doesn’t have to be this way, we must have hope for a future that looks different; where everyone has enough money to get by and, when things are hard, people can get the right support, at the right time. There are clear solutions to the hunger and hardship that so many people are experiencing.”

He added: “As much as I am grateful for the tireless work done by foodbanks such as the one in Wrexham, I want to see a Wales without the need for food banks, where everyone has enough money to afford the essentials. If governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay wanted to achieve this, we know change is possible.

"In Wales, Trussell is calling on the First Minister to tackle these issues head on, through a plan to reduce the need for food banks – similar to the one recently published in Scotland. That change is desperately needed after years of allowing this crisis to grow.”

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A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Foodbanks do great work in our communities, but we’re committed to creating a Wales where they are no longer needed. Our Child Poverty Strategy outlines our long-term goals for tackling poverty and inequality. Since 2019, we have allocated over £22m to support community food organisations, helping individuals and households maximise their income and build financial resilience. This includes developing local food partnerships in each local authority area in Wales.

“Last month, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice announced an additional £700,000 for the Fuel Bank Foundation to help people across Wales who pre-pay for their fuel and are at risk of disconnection, building on the £5.6m provided since 2022.

“We encourage people to contact the Advicelink Cymru ‘Claim What’s Yours’ helpline on 0808 250 5700 to find out about the financial support they may be entitled to."