BARNET has the fourth highest number of people using foodbanks in London, according to new figures.

A total of 2,740 people in the borough received emergency food supplies between April and September this year, the Trussell Trust charity has revealed.

Of those using foodbanks in Barnet, 1,636 were adults and 1,104 were children.

Benefit delays and changes remain the biggest cause of foodbank use in the UK, accounting for 43 per cent of total referrals, according to the charity, which runs foodbanks across the country.

Another cause is low income, accounting for 22 per cent of referrals.

The charity’s UK foodbank director Adrian Curtis said: “Latest foodbank figures are still at worryingly high levels. We look forward to the day that we can announce a decrease in numbers needing foodbanks, and we welcome the fact that latest national figures show a less dramatic rise.

“We’re seeing that hunger remains a major issue for low income families and individuals. When the proposed changes to tax credits are implemented, we are concerned that more working families will not be able to make ends meet, and that we could see a substantial rise in foodbank use as a result.

“As a nation we need to learn more about the realities of life for people struggling on low incomes and make sure that no incomes are too low to live on.”

Across the capital, a total of 49,558 people in crisis were provided with three days’ emergency food supplies during the same period.

Neighbouring borough Enfield had 2,534 people rely on foodbanks, while Haringey had 864 and Harrow 1,004.

Wendy Turl, a volunteer at Chipping Barnet foodbank, told the Times Series in September: “Sometimes people need to come because their benefits have been delayed, they are single mums or are homeless.

“Some come in and are at the end of their tether, they are desperate. But when we give them food they are so grateful they actually cry with relief.

“Even though you’re not in their shoes and can’t really understand what they are going through, you still try and be sympathetic and listen to their situation.”