LATEST figures published by the Trussell Trust show the number of people using foodbanks in East Ayrshire have dropped by over a quarter.

In 2016/17 the number of people using foodbanks was 4,830, compared to 6,548 in 2015/16. In the latest figures 1,531 were children and 3,299 were adults.

East Ayrshire figures declined by 1,718 in total which is 26 per cent.

But the network of 52 Scottish foodbanks still had to provide 145,865 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis - including 47,955 for children - during the 2016/17 financial year.

These figures highlight an increase of nine per cent, in total, on the previous year when 133,726 three-day emergency food supplies were handed out.

Low income has, for the first time, become the single biggest reason for a referral to a Scottish foodbank.

The percentage of people referred due to low income increased, as a proportion of the overall figure, to 25 per cent from 21 per cent in 2015/16.

Problems with benefit payments remain the biggest overall reason for a referral to a Trussell Trust foodbank in Scotland, accounting for 42 per cent of all referrals - 24 per cent for benefit delays and 18 per cent for benefit changes.

A number of foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network in Scotland contributed to the research carried out ahead of this report.

Over half of them confirmed that the rollout of Universal Credit was a major issue, with a significant number of people referred to foodbanks while they waited for their claims to be processed, which could take anywhere between 3 and 8 weeks.

Foodbanks cited increased debt, exacerbation of mental health issues and difficulty budgeting as additional negative impacts on people experiencing problems with Universal Credit.

Ewan Gurr, Scotland Network Manager – The Trussell Trust - said: "Despite nine Scottish local authorities showing a decrease in foodbank use six months ago, it is clear that a cold Christmas, the rollout of Universal Credit and the ever-increasing pressure on the pockets of low income individuals and families is yielding bitter outcomes.

"Worrying stories emanating from foodbanks highlight the reality that a record 12-month inflation rate of 2.3 per cent and benefit delays attributed to the rollout of Universal Credit are leaving men, women and children up and down the country sitting at the dinner table with no food in front of them.

"With both Council Elections and a General Election on the horizon, it is absolutely critical for confirmed as well as prospective candidates to put tackling hunger and food poverty front and centre of the policy agenda. It is crucial to amplify the voices of people in poverty in the process and ensure the delivery of a clear and coherent strategy on tackling hunger and food poverty that can be implemented both at local and national level.”