Almost 200 emergency parcels from food banks have been given children in Ceredigion this year, figures show.

The Trussell Trust said its network provided 539 food parcels in the area between April and September.

Of those, 344 were for adults and 195 for children.

National research by the charity showed that delays with Universal Credit were the main reason for food bank referrals. The government said the reasons why people use food banks are “complex”.

The trust expects these numbers to rise towards the end of the year, as people typically collect more supplies over winter.

In Ceredigion, the number of food parcels handed out decreased by 24 per cent compared with 2017, when 713 were distributed.

Each package contains 10 meals, which are supposed to last for three days.

Across the country the number of emergency supplies has increased by 13 per cent.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, which supports 428 food banks across the UK, said: “We’re seeing soaring levels of need at food banks. If the five-week wait isn’t reduced, the only way to stop even more people being forced to food banks this winter will be to pause all new claims to Universal Credit, until funding is in place to reduce the five-week wait.

“Food banks cannot continue to pick up the pieces. We have to make sure our benefits system can protect people from hunger.”

Across Wales, the number of food parcels handed out increased by 13 per cent over the time period.

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