Rutland's Labour Councillor, Ramsay Ross, has voiced his concerns that there has been "growth of the wrong sort in Rutland" as referrals to Rutland Foodbank increase by 15%.

In the last 12 months, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, the Rutland Foodbank received 820 referrals requesting emergency food parcels for households across Rutland struggling to get by on low incomes.

This is a 15% increase in the number referrals compared to the previous year, as more and more people struggle to afford essentials such as food.

The referrals were made for residents living in 305 households across Rutland.

This mirrors last year's increase, which saw a 17% rise in numbers fed.

The team shared alarming statistics of the increase in those needing the Foodbank:

• 121 (15%) of the referrals were for new households who had not previously been helped by the Rutland Foodbank
• Of concern, 446 (57%) of the parcels were provided to households which included children
• Nearly 27% of the parcels were provided to those in work but struggling to afford food, this was a 7% increase compared with 2022-23
• Nearly 40% of households only needed to be helped once during the year but there were some that needed more emergency help. In all we supported 1189 adults and 850 children, not forgetting their household pets
• Ingredients for over 43,000 meals were distributed
• Over 31,300 kg of donated items were sent out across Rutland

A Rutland Councillor has asked, is Rutland's really an economy that works for all? Image credit: Nub News.

Cllr Ramsay Ross, Leader of the Labour Group Rutland County Council, commented: "Many of you will be aware that the economy of Rutland has shrunk relative to the average of all other counties in England by some 28% over the ten years to 2022.

"Recently the Rutland Foodbank has reported that in the 12 months to March 2024, they received 820 referrals requesting emergency food parcels from households across Rutland struggling to get by on low incomes. This is a 15% increase in the number of referrals compared to the previous year.

"They highlight that of the referrals from 305 households, 121 (or some 15%) were for new households whilst shockingly 446 (57%) of the parcels were provided to households which included children. Still more concerningly, some 27% of the parcels were provided to those in work but struggling to simply afford food.

"Rutland is one of the wealthiest areas in the East Midlands and yet in 2024, almost 100 years after the Great Recession, increasing poverty stalks many of our households. Is this really an economy that works for all?"

Despite being viewed as a prosperous area, Rutland residents have been struggling. Image credit: Nub News.

Ali Wainwright, Chair of Trustees at Rutland Foodbank said: "Excluding year one of the Pandemic, 2023-24 was the busiest year for emergency parcels provided. What is of concern is the number of referrals this year that were for new households, indicative of the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis.

"Without the generosity of so many people, charities and businesses in Rutland we would struggle to maintain our help. So I'd like to thank everyone who donates and supports us and a very special thank you to our amazing resilient and dedicated volunteers who continue to give their time so freely."

Rutland Foodbank welcomes donations. Image credit: Trussel Trust.

Rutland Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust's network, which reports record levels of need in the last 12 months with more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels provided to people facing hardship between April 2023 and March 2024. More than 1.1 million of these parcels were provided for children.