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Mike Amesbury MP said foodbank dependence has rocketed 78% in five years.

Runcorn and District Foodbank volunteer Ann Littler, Mike Amesbury MP, chair of trustees Anne McPoland and manager Eddie Thompson MBE.

A Runcorn MP has expressed "shock" to learn that foodbank use has soared 78% in five years in the area with some residents depending on food cooked with hot water from a kettle.

Mike Amesbury, Labour MP for Weaver Vale, stated the figure following a visit to Runcorn and District Foodbank.

He said the experience was "bittersweet" due to the contrast of volunteers' kindness with the hardship faced by residents.

Citing branch figures, he said 3,295 adults and children received food vouchers in 2017-18, but that number rocketed to 5,881 for 2021-22.

Mr Amesbury said he was shocked to learn these statistics during a visit to the foodbank's operations centre on Russell Road in Weston Point, where he also heard there has already been a 27% spike so far this year as the cost-of-living crisis bites.

Mr Amesbury, who represents most of east Runcorn as well as Frodsham and Helsby, which the foodbank also serves, said: “I went along to thank volunteers for everything they do.

"But looking to the future, I know they share my view that foodbanks need to become a thing of the past given we are one of the richest countries on the planet.

“The number of foodbanks expanded massively as result of Government austerity policies from 2010 onwards.

"Unfortunately, they have become a DIY welfare state not only for those out of work or unable to work but for people in employment whose bosses are simply not paying them enough.”

Mr Amesbury was told that foodbank use jumped 35% after the Government withdrew the £20 per week uplift in Universal Credit last October.

He said: “The visit was a bittersweet experience for me.

"To see the kindness of volunteers and the generosity of the public in making donations of food and money.

"But then the sadness of learning how more and more members of our community are struggling to survive.”

A spokesman for Mr Amesbury's office said branch managers also told him that residents who can't access a kitchen due to living in a hotel, hostel or temporary accommodation receive a "kettle pack" so they can make a hot meal using water from a kettle.

Visit runcorndistrict.foodbank.org.uk to find out more about accessing support, donate or volunteer.

Read more news from Runcorn, Cheshire, here.

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