A new study has revealed that London ranks among the top 10 UK cities with the highest demand for food banks, highlighting the growing financial hardship faced by households.
Financial support website Afforda analyzed search volume data from 78 UK towns and cities, examining how often people search for terms like “food bank near me” and “local food banks.” The results were weighted against population size to determine the number of food bank-related searches per 100,000 residents.
London placed eighth on the list, with an average of 145.29 searches per 100,000 people—a strong indication of rising food insecurity in the capital.
Birmingham Tops the List for Food Bank Searches
The study found that Birmingham has the highest demand for food banks, recording an average of 3,185 searches per month—equating to 284.03 searches per 100,000 residents.
Glasgow ranked second with 196.95 searches per 100,000 people, followed by:
• Liverpool
• Leeds
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Manchester
• Bournemouth
• London (8th place)
• Bristol
• Plymouth
• Watford
Londoners conducted 12,882 average monthly searches for food banks, with the most common terms being “food bank near me,” “food bank,” “local food banks,” and “closest food bank.”
Experts Warn of Rising Food Insecurity
Mark Fiander, CEO of Gain Credit, warned that the increasing reliance on food banks reflects deepening financial struggles across the UK.
“The rise in food bank reliance across UK cities is a clear indication of the growing inequality and financial strain faced by many households,” he said.
“These findings emphasize the urgent need for coordinated action from policymakers, businesses, and communities to tackle food insecurity and build a more sustainable safety net for those in need.”
The Growing Need for Support
As the cost of living crisis continues to impact families, food banks have become a lifeline for many struggling to afford basic necessities. Charities and local organizations are urging government intervention to provide more support for vulnerable communities.
With London and other major cities seeing a surge in food bank demand, the data underscores the urgent need for long-term solutions to food poverty and economic hardship in the UK.
