THIS week I heard from Trussell Trust that between April 1 and September 30 in Blaenau Gwent, 1,958 three-day emergency food supplies were given to local people in crisis, with 647 going to children.

Across the UK, foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network distributed 658,048 three-day emergency food supplies to help people in crisis, a rise of 13 per cent for the same period last year. Of these, 232,761 went to children.

Wales has seen a 13 per cent increase in the number of food supplies distributed compared to the same period last year.

These statistics are shocking.

It is no coincidence that foodbank usage has increased alongside the disastrous austerity measures and welfare reforms introduced by this Tory UK Government.

The rollout of Universal Credit has left us with a flawed system failing families here in Blaenau Gwent and up and down the country.

The Trussell Trust is calling for a reduction in the five-week minimum wait for the first Universal Credit payment to prevent even more people being forced to foodbanks this winter.

This week I have written to the secretary of state for work and pensions to outline how many people in Blaenau Gwent are being forced to foodbanks as a result of the Universal Credit system.

It is absolutely vital that the UK Government reduces the five-week minimum wait for the first payment.

It is wholly unreasonable to expect people to wait five weeks with little, or in some cases, no access to money for vital things like food and utilities.

This system is making life harder than it needs to be for so many of the most vulnerable people across our communities.

This Tory UK Government needs to wake up and realise that, whilst Theresa May has claimed austerity is over, its impacts continue to be felt hard here in the south Wales valleys.

I would urge anyone who can, to donate to their local foodbanks.

The work they carry out in our communities is invaluable.

You can donate directly or at many of the drop of points - information available on the Trussell Trust website.

My Brynmawr office is also able to take donations for Blaenau Gwent Foodbank.

My next drop-in advice surgery is being held on Friday, November 16, from 3.30pm until 4.30pm at Nantyglo OAP hall. No appointment necessary.