East Lothian Foodbank volunteers will be collecting signatures outside the charity's base on Civic Square, Tranent, tomorrow calling for an increase in universal credit.

Staff and volunteers at the foodbank say the £85 per week allocated to a single individual on universal credit is not enough to cover living costs.

The Trussell Trust charity, which operates foodbanks across the UK, says that about 90 per cent of low-income households are going without at least one essential item such as food, heating or toiletries.

READ MORE: Demand for East Lothian Foodbank support at ‘levels we’ve never seen’

Lucy Daniels, community participation and campaigns lead at East Lothian Foodbank, is leading the event which runs from 10am to 1pm tomorrow.

She told the Courier: “We will be out collecting signatures in support of the Trussell Trust’s Guarantee our Essentials campaign.

“Calculations show that the £85 per week for a single person on universal credit is not enough. Calculations show with the price increases people will need about £120 a week.

“We’re calling on the UK government to guarantee people on universal credit can afford the essentials.

"We've had some good support so far, including from Kenny MacAskill MP who has supported the campaign.

"Hopefully we will see lots of people show up and offer support."

The foodbank employee said that about 80 per cent of those referred to the charity in August were on universal credit.

She said: “Increasing the money given to those on universal credit would help reduce the amount of people needing to use foodbanks.

“We want to be able to help people so that they do not have to come to us for help.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We know people are struggling, which is why we have a plan to halve inflation and are providing record financial support worth an average £3,300 per household.

“On top of this we have raised benefits - including universal credit – by 10.1 per cent, increased the national living wage and have given an extra £82 million to help people in Scotland with food, energy and other essential costs.”