Voters saddened that food banks are doubling up as polling stations in '21st century Britain'

Polling booths traditionally take place in the oddest of places on election day. But this election has been marked by the number of food banks doubling up as places for members of the public to vote.

And voters have been sharing their surprise - and sadness - at the sheer number in this election, with many highlighting the irony of it taking place in one the world’s richest countries.

In September this year, The Trussell Trust revealed it had provided 823,145 emergency food parcels to people in crisis between April and September 2019, a 23% increase on the same period in 2018.

Dan Read, a voter who spotted a food bank sign at his local polling station in Sudbury East, said: “I know the people who run the food bank here, it started with a small collection and now they have an entire building for it.

“It’s telling us what the last nine years have done for us. It started as a small thing but now it takes up everything, every day.

“The idea is throwing it in your face - the idea of a polling station and a food bank at the same time.

“Politics has become more tribal now, akin to religion and football teams. People are picking a favourite and defending them no matter what.”

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“The aura at the polling station is much more tense than it has been before, because things have got to such a level.

“It’s just a really awkward situation, it’s a very peculiar time this week.”

Elsewhere, people have been sharing images on social media.

Pictures show various food banks being used to accommodate voters, including some around Liverpool, Huddersfield, London, Basingstoke and Elland.

According to The Trussell Trust, a record 1.6m food bank parcels given to people in the year ending March 2019.

In September, it revealed the number of parcels had increased 23% on the same period in 2018. Emma Revie, the CEO of Trussell Trust, said: “This is the busiest six months we’ve ever seen – more people than ever are being forced to food banks’ doors. Our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty, but currently thousands of women, men and children are not receiving sufficient protection from destitution. This is not right.

“But we know this situation can be fixed – our benefits system could be the key to unlocking people from poverty. This General Election, all political parties must pledge to protect people from hunger by ensuring everyone has enough money for the basics.

We’re asking politicians to start working towards a future where no one needs a food bank by ending the five week wait for Universal Credit; ensuring benefit payments cover the cost of living; and investing in local emergency support for people in crisis.”