The food bank statistics that shame the coalition, in one chart

This week, the number of people relying on food banks is expected to pass the one million mark.

Food bank charity the Trussell Trust will publish its figures for 2014-15 on Wednesday, with the most common reason for people being referred again expected to be delays in receiving benefits.

Labour says the 618 per cent rise in the number of people receiving emergency food aid is "shocking".

In the 21st century no one should have to rely on charity to feed their family. Food banks should never become a permanent feature of our society.

• Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves

In a pre-election interview last month, David Cameron was embarrassed by Jeremy Paxman telling him the number of food banks in the country had risen 66 to 420 while he was in power.

The Conservative Party said:

We know that many families are facing tough times. When people are struggling it is right that both government and organisations in the community offer support. Unlike Labour, we have allowed Jobcentres to signpost people to food banks. We are also helping to provide emergency financial help to those in desperate need and tackling the real causes of poverty by getting people into work and tackling welfare dependency.

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