Foodbanks in Wandsworth have experienced a huge rise in people in need using their services.

December 2016 was the "busiest month to date" for Wandsworth Foodbank, up 34 per cent on 2015.

Manager of Wandsworth Foodbank Dan Firth reported that during the festive month they provided emergency food to 546 people, which included 231 children.

He said: "Problems with welfare benefits continues to be the highest trigger of crisis in the borough, with low income, debt and sickness following on."

Under the Conservative Government, housing benefit has been cut by £7bn and there has been a freeze on welfare payments.

As a result of Brexit, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) calculates that there will be around £60bn worth of austerity by 2019-2020. Welfare cuts of £12bn will be included in this.

Wandsworth Jobcentre was the 10th biggest referrer of clients to the foodbank and 42 per cent of referral agencies said a benefit sanction was "often" the reason for referral.

Wandsworth Foodbank gave out 4,078 three-day emergency food supplies in 2016.

Mr Firth added: "We are very grateful to many local schools, businesses, churches, faith groups and individuals who donated over 7 tonnes of food in December to help us meet the demand, however we are concerned about the increase in the number of people facing crisis, and are keen to do all we can to partner with other agencies to ensure everyone has the support they need to manage.

"We would encourage local councillors and government to engage with our annual research report due to be released in May, so that we can work together to see the trends reversed."

Wandsworth Labour Leader Simon Hogg said: "It's alarming to see the large number of working people who are having to rely on food banks to feed their children. 

"Some local families are struggling to make ends meet - housing costs are going up but wages aren't.

"No one should have to rely on a foodbank. We need to look again at the support given to local families."