LUDLOW and the surrounding area is seeing a growing number of ‘working poor.’

This is one of the findings of an analysis of 2015 by the town’s Food Bank.

There is also an increasing number of single men needing food parcels in order to feed themselves and this is being blamed upon the introduction of ‘universal credit.’

The shocking report also shows that more than 200 children in the area were helped with food parcels.

However, all was not negative and volunteers found that overall there was a slight reduction in the number of parcels that were given out and problems with delays in the payment of benefits seem to have been reduced.

“We have seen an increase in working people, often on low incomes, being unable to make ends meet,” said Ruth Davies of the Ludlow Food Bank.

“This year has seen quite a large proportion of food parcels (37%) going to single men. This maybe because single people have started to receive Universal Credit in this area.”

The Food Bank statistics show that the inequality gap is also heavily slanted against younger people.

“By far the largest age group helped was the 25-44 age group,” added Ruth Davies.

“The group that needed the least help was the 65plus age group. In fact, often it is the older age group that are donating food or time to help and we even had a harvest donation from one of the care homes in Ludlow.”

More than 50 per cent of the help was given to people aged between 25 and 44 years.

By far the biggest number of food parcels were allocated to people living in Ludlow although nearly 40 parcels were given to people living in Cleobury Mortimer.

Demand for help with food was at its highest in the winter with November, December and February the months when most parcels were allocated. However, there was also a jump in April and the early summer that it is believed may be linked to school holidays when children do not have access to school meals.

The Ludlow Food Bank is run by Churches Together around Ludlow and there are concerns about the emotional impact on the volunteers providing help to people in need.

“On a personal note, being involved with the food parcel scheme has been quite an emotional roller-coaster,” said Ruth Davies.

“I have seen very distressing situations on the one hand and long-term and sustained generosity on the other. I have seen the community in Ludlow working together in a way I have never seen before and in keeping with my beliefs, I have seen God blessing many people – those who give as well as those who receive.”

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said that the economic situation is improving.

“Shropshire’s businesses are growing and fewer people are reliant on benefits to get by, we must continue to provide support for those who need it, while presenting a fair deal for the taxpayer,” he said.

“The Government brought in the benefit cap to ensure no out-of-work family can receive more in total benefits than the average family gets in work.

“I am aware that there remain problems with the benefits system, as we continue to reform it to make work pay. Sometimes genuine claimants can have difficulties.”