CALDICOT Foodbank reported a rise of over 300 per cent in the numbers seeking food aid late last year when compared with the same period in 2015.

Caldicot Foodbank chairperson, David Flint, said: “We became alarmed at the steep increase in parcel requests this autumn. We believe this has a direct correlation with the recent benefits cap cut from £26,000 to £20,000.”

The situation prompted a visit from Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East.

David added: “Ms Morden came on a fact-finding mission as well as to witness the work of the foodbank, She talked with the volunteers about the core problems facing those needing food parcels. Ms Morden also witnessed the stream of clients, and the care our volunteers exercise in dealing with them.

“Later the MP visited the Foodbank’s warehouse, learning about the way we help particular agencies dealing with the elderly and with low income families. Ms Morden paid tribute to the work being done, and commented that her visit would help her when commenting on the relevant issues in the House of Commons at Westminster.”

By the end of this December Caldicot Foodbank estimate they will have provided over 2,500 meals in 2016, with almost a third of these being in December. They also said that nearly 40 percent of the meals provided go to help feed children and infants, many referred by health visitors.

David said: “Ms Morden remarked on the great job the Caldicot Foodbank Volunteers were doing and on what a sad reflection on our times it is that so many needed the help that foodbanks provide.”