DEPRIVED children in Bolton are facing a harsh and hungry Christmas after new figures laid bare that hundreds at least will be relying on foodbanks.

Figures released by Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank show that 1,591 emergency food parcels were provided to people between April and September 2021 of which 589 of these went to children.

But charities have warned that the winter ahead is set to be even tougher and that the true number of children and families facing poverty could be even higher.

Urban Outreach CEO Dave Bagley said: “It’s important to know not just the number of incidents of people going to foodbanks but also the number of individual children as well.”

He added: “We have a significant number of families in Bolton with children who may be relying on different forms of support.

“Even if you consider free school meals, there are 12,000 children eligible for free school meals and its not so long ago that was 8,000.”

Bolton has already been one of the borough’s most impacted by deprivation, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

Figures released earlier this year by the Action for Children charity showed that Bolton’s child poverty rate increased from 32.9 per cent in 2014/15 to 37 per cent in 2019/20, an increase of 4.1 per cent.

Now Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank added that fuel costs and inflation is also likely to put families under even more pressure this winter.

Mr Bagley said: “The challenge that we’re facing is that its not just holiday hunger, its all times.”

He added: “I think we have a problem and how we deal with it is one of the most complex issues facing us.”

Mr Bagley said that the council has a number of measures in place, including help paying utility bills and providing food parcels to families in need.

Help: Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank manager Mark Whittington

Help: Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank manager Mark Whittington

Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank manager Mark Whittington said: “It’s not right that people in our community are needing a charity’s help to put food on the table.

He added: “And we know our figures are just the tip of the iceberg as different community organisations, independent food banks and local authorities have also been working during the pandemic to support our community.”

But local politicians say that the figures are still worrying.

Cllr Paul Heslop, who represents the area for the One Kearsley party, said: “The figures for Farnworth and Kearsley are quite shocking, I’m sure around the country we’ll see similar figures but it doesn’t surprise me one little bit.”

He added: “One of the biggest issues is that the Universal Credit uplift of £20 has been cut and there are huge pulls on household incomes.

“One of these is that everyone in households is now expected to pay council tax while energy bills have also soared.”

Cllr Heslop said: “In an ideal world we wouldn’t need foodbanks but at the moment they’re absolutely vital to people’s survival.”

He added: “They are doing an amazing job and councillors from Kearsley and Farnworth will certainly continue supporting them.”