COWENBEATH MSP Annabelle Ewing has highlighted the most recent figures from the Trussell Trust showing that 6,371 three-day emergency food supplies were given to local people in crisis in Fife between 1st April and 30th September, with 2,090 going to children.

These statistics include the work being done by both the Cowdenbeath and Benarty Food Banks.

Ms Ewing said: “These shocking figures were released recently by the Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest foodbank charity.

"Scotland as a whole has seen a 15% increase in the number of food supplies distributed compared to the same period last year, showing starkly how very wrong and out of touch the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond is to claim that austerity is coming to an end.

“Indeed, as the Trussell Trust have pointed out, when Universal Credit goes live in an area, there is a demonstrable increase in demand for local foodbanks. On average, 12 months after the rollout of Universal Credit, foodbanks see a 52% increase in demand - Tory policy decisions making austerity worse, not better".

The MSP added: “Universal Credit is causing undeniable hardship and misery to people and families across Scotland – and the Tories’ should immediately halt its roll out.

“The Conservative’s ideological obsession with austerity will lead to billions of pounds being cut from social security spending in Scotland by the end of this decade.

“Austerity is a political choice – and it’s one imposed by a Tory Government with no mandate in Scotland.

“The UK Autumn Budget failed to address the fundamental flaws in UC. Westminster has shown time and time again that it cannot be trusted with social security.

“By contrast, the SNP in Government is doing what it can with our limited powers – and we’re building a new social security system with dignity, fairness and respect at its heart.”

The Conservative Government has repeatedly said that Universal Credit is the best way to see the Welfare system became fairer, although they have frankly admitted that there are some problems being encountered in its introduction.