Half a million Scots at risk of needing food bank over next year, report finds
One in six Scottish households ran out of food and could not afford to buy more in the past year, according to Trussell.
More than half a million people across Scotland are at risk of needing a food bank over the coming year, a report has found.
Trussell, an anti-poverty charity, has reported one in six people in Scotland (17%) said their household had run out of food and could not afford to buy more in the previous year.
A survey, conducted by Ipsos on Trussell’s behalf, showed one in 10 Scots (10%) have had to cut back on food in the previous three months to afford other essentials like housing costs, transport to work or heating.
It found 550,000 people across Scotland in the coming year are at risk of needing to use a food bank, which includes an increase of 25,000 people since 2024/25, according to economic analysis.
The charity said certain groups, such as disabled people and carers, are more likely to go without.
Trussell said 28% of disabled people and 26% of carers in Scotland had run out of food and could not afford to buy more – compared to 13% of people with no caring responsibilities and who are not disabled.
Cara Hilton, senior policy manager for Trussell in Scotland, said the findings are “devastating”.
Ms Hilton said: “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.”
Ahead of the Scottish Government’s Budget next month, Trussell is calling on Holyrood to reaffirm its commitment to ending the need for food banks in Scotland and to redouble its efforts to ensure more people can afford the essentials.
The charity wants the Government to increase the Scottish child payment to at least £40 a week with immediate effect and commit to a longer-term increase to £55 a week.
Ms Hilton said: “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.”
She continued: “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.”
Fiona Dalgleish, manager of Peeblesshire Foodbank, said it is “not right” that people in Scotland do not have enough money to live on.
Ms Dalgleish said: “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.”
She added: “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.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said no-one should have to compromise on food or other essentials.
She said: “That is why overall in 2026-27 we are committing around £3.5 billion to policies that tackle poverty and the cost of living, including maintaining our investment in the Scottish welfare fund at £41 million and funding free bus travel for over 2.4 million people.
“We have committed around £1.5 billion over the last 15 years to mitigate the impacts of UK Government policy such as the bedroom tax and benefit cap that drive people into poverty. The UK Government must follow the Scottish Government’s lead to protect and enhance social security safety.”
In the meantime, Ms Somerville said the Scottish Government is currently consulting on legislation to establish legal price ceilings on some essential food items to tackle the cost of the weekly shop.