Coronavirus: Food Bank Use Triples Under Lockdown

The pandemic has transformed the need for free or subsidised food.

Across the UK people have lost work, been furloughed or had to isolate. The government says it has ploughed millions into front line charities, billions more has been spent in extra welfare support, but the Food Standards Agency estimates that around 7 million adults may have cut portions or skipped meals in May.

At the start of this year, PM's reporter Chris Vallance spent time gathering the stories of those who used food banks in the city of Oxford. As food networks in the city warn demand has trebled since the pandemic began, Chris returned to the to see how local groups were coping.

(Photo: Sketch of people in an Oxford food bank
Credit: Chris Vallance)