'Why foodbank donations are dropping as more and more people ask for help'

January is always one of the busiest months for food banks, Tom says. In the first few weeks that follow Christmas, finances are typically tight, he explains.

But this January was the busiest ever at Wythenshawe Foodbank with more food parcels provided in one month alone than there were in the first two months last year. Manager Tom Allan is worried that things will only get worse.

"If people can't afford to make ends meet now," the 28-year-old asks apprehensively, "what are they going to do when energy bills go up again in April?"

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The food bank, which was set up in 2016, fed 427 people last month. Tom says he is seeing more working people and single parents who have never had to use a food bank before now finding themselves with no alternative.

People whose wages are topped up by benefits are trying to balance working extra hours with the cost of childcare, according to Tom. In many cases, they find that taking more shifts at work means they will be worse off, he explains.

People struggling with debt are increasingly using the food bank too, he adds. Last year, debt was the main reason for just 2 pc of referrals – now it is behind 10 pc.

Anyone can use the food bank which moves around the town to different locations each day, but they require a referral for a food parcel voucher. Tom says most of the referrals in Wythenshawe come from housing associations whose tenants cannot afford to feed their families once their rent is paid.

But vouchers can also be issued by schools, the council or even healthcare professionals. Tom is keen to work with as many organisations as possible.

"We started to get phone calls from doctors