Almost one million people across Scotland, including more than 210,000 children, are experiencing hunger, according to new research by the Trussell Trust.
The landmark Hunger in Scotland report reveals that the scale of food insecurity now exceeds the combined populations of Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen.
The analysis highlights a striking rise in working families relying on food banks, showing that paid employment is no longer sufficient protection against poverty. In 2024, nearly a quarter of those referred to food banks lived in households where at least one adult was in work, compared with 17 percent in 2022. Workers in manual and service roles such as bus drivers, factory staff and hospitality employees are among those most at risk of food insecurity.
The findings also indicate that one in four children in Scotland live in food-insecure households, a figure campaigners describe as deeply alarming. Households referred to food banks reported having just £148 a week left after housing costs, a quarter of the average disposable income in Scotland.
The report identifies very low incomes, structural flaws in the social security system, and the prevalence of insecure, low-paid employment as the principal drivers of rising hunger. It warns that even minor financial shocks, such as an unexpected bill or transport disruption, can force families to seek food aid.
Despite commitments by both the Scottish and UK governments to reduce reliance on emergency food provision, food banks remain under immense strain. More than 239,000 parcels were distributed in Scotland last year, with demand continuing to climb.
Campaigners are calling for urgent reforms, including scrapping the two-child limit on benefits, raising the Scottish Child Payment, strengthening the Scottish Welfare Fund, and providing immediate grants to mitigate the five-week wait for Universal Credit. They argue that without decisive action, hunger risks becoming a permanent feature of Scottish life.
The Trussell Trust warns that hunger and hardship are increasingly being normalised in communities across Scotland. With next year’s elections approaching, the charity insists that political leaders must be held accountable for delivering tangible reductions in food insecurity and ensuring that every household can afford life’s essentials.
