Jersey charity sees increasing demand for food banks

A charity in Jersey says they are seeing a growing demand for food banks, after a new report shows they were visited more than 500 times in the first three months of this year.

Over a quarter of users say they were forced to use charities after suffering benefit cuts and nearly a third have a long term health problem.

The St Helier Methodist Centre are concerned recent incapacity benefit cuts could have a negative impact on the vulnerable.

According to the data, published by the States, 180 different people used food banks between January and March, with half aged between 35 and 54.

The report, issued by the Minister for Housing, is the first of its kind.

But, the St Helier Methodist Centre, which runs a food bank, says the report is not 'a comprehensive overview'.

The Minister says the findings will help to create a policy for those in need.

The figures come after the government issued a number of initiatives between 2015 and 2016 to improve their work with charities.