A shocking study has revealed around eight per cent of people in County Durham are relying on food banks to eat as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.
New analysis from County Durham Labour has revealed more than 106,000 people, around one in five, are missing meals in the county.
The research, by Kantar and More In Common, revealed the staggering figure, with research also showing that 272,000 county residents, just over half, are being forced to cut down on electricity or heating and 42,600 are forced to use a foodbank.
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County Durham Labour Leader, Cllr Carl Marshall, said: “As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, families in County Durham are being forced to make some heart-breaking choices.
“People need help, but instead of stepping in, the Conservatives continue to make things worse.”
Durham County Council currently has a £15 million overspend, meaning council bosses, who blame rising fuel and energy costs for the shortfall, are having to make tough decision regarding services.
Cllr Marshall added: “As we learn that the Tory-led Coalition running Durham County Council has blown a hole in council finances, so the irresponsible actions of the Government crash the British economy.
“As we all struggle to pay astronomical energy bills, cover rising rents and spiralling food prices, the disastrous mini budget has added thousands to our mortgage payments.
“After 12 years of failure in Government and 18 months of disastrous stewardship of Durham County Council, the Conservatives are financially crippling our communities.”
In the wider North East, over half a million people are skipping meals as they try and mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis, with 1.3m cutting down on heating and electrical usage and more than 214,000 relying on foodbanks.
County Durham Labour’s Shadow Member for Social Inclusion, Cllr Angela Surtees, said: “What is more important than ensuring people don’t go hungry? “In these uncertain times, it is devastating that thousands of families in County Durham are dependent on foodbanks and can no longer afford to heat their homes.
“The Government must do more.
“Labour has submitted motion asking the county council to write to the Government and demand it ensures young people receive a free meal when at school, but our motion wasn’t even acknowledged at the last full council.
“This council must stop kowtowing to this chaotic Government – that felt it appropriate to shut down for months during its leadership campaign – and call on it deliver more support for hungry families.”
The joint administration in charge of council has said Labour’s motion was on the agenda to be discussed but the meeting ran out of time to consider it.
Durham County Councillor Alan Shield, cabinet portfolio holder for equality and inclusion, said: “The increase in food poverty is a huge concern, both nationally and across the North East region.
“Working with officers, Durham County Council’s Joint Administration is focused on actions that both provide immediate support within communities, and develop the longer-term Poverty Strategy and Action Plan to addresses systemic issues.
“We can’t control many factors that are creating the cost-of-living crisis, but we are working very hard, using all the resources at our disposal, to provide direct support to the residents who need it.”
The Joint Administration said it supports the No Child Left Behind campaign, which urges the Government to change the eligibility threshold for entitlement to free school meals so that it covers all pupils in families receiving Universal Credit or the equivalent benefits.
The council has pointed it has helped roll out The Bread-and-Butter Thing, the provision of low-cost surplus foods, across the county.
Cllr Shield said: “No-one is happy that food poverty is increasing, but sadly that’s the reality now.
“Instead of indulging in political grandstanding to generate media headlines, this council is responding with effective and sustained action where it is most needed.”
A Government spokesperson said support was in place for vulnerable families.
The spokesperson said: "We recognise that people are struggling with rising prices which is why we are protecting millions of the most vulnerable families with at least £1,200 of direct payments including providing all households with £400 towards energy costs.
“As part of our £37bn support package we are also allowing people on Universal Credit to keep £1,000 more of what they earn, while vulnerable families in England are being supported by the Government’s Household Support Fund – which was boosted by £500million - to help pay for essentials.
“This Government has expanded access to free school meals more than any other in recent decades, and we will continue to keep all free school meal eligibility under review, to ensure that these meals are supporting those who most need them.”
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