Trussell Trust: Food bank rise 'linked to welfare cuts'

Data from a network of food banks, headquartered in Wiltshire, suggests cuts to welfare benefits has led to a rise in people turning to them for help.

Researchers from the University of Oxford analysed food bank data from 259 local authorities between 2012 and last year and found a strong link between increased benefit sanctions and higher food bank use.

Sanctions include benefits or payments being delayed, reduced, or even stopped.

The Trussell Trust, based in Salisbury, is now calling for a "yellow card" warning system to be implemented which would give claimants 14 days to appeal before a financial sanction is imposed.