Welfare cuts and savage sanctions have almost quadrupled the crowds at foodbanks, with charities describing a "perfect storm" for nearly a million people in Scotland.
Backbenchers on Holyrood's welfare reform committee were left reeling yesterday after foodbank network the Trussell Trust reported nearly four times the number of families coming to it for help on the year before.
The trust told the MSPs that 56,052 people had used one of its food banks in Scotland in the 11 months to February - a rise of nearly 300 per cent on the 14,318 people who sought food parcels in 2012.
After battling hills, rain and injury in a three-day cycle ride ending at the CWU conference, MATT KERR reflects on why class unity remains the answer to injustice
Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE


