As 2019 came to a close, an exclusive Reach Data Unit investigation looked at how Bristol has evolved over the past 10 years.
The analysis had some troubling findings including frontline police cuts, soaring levels of homelessness, more kids on free school meals, and increasing hospital wait times.
Here we look at free school meal numbers and foodbank usage over the past decade.
The investigation has revealed thousands of children are having to rely on free school meals - which generally indicate low income among families.
The meals are given to pupils whose parents receive benefits like income support, jobseeker’s allowance, or universal credit and who may struggle to afford to provide lunch themselves for their child.
Back in 2008/09 there were 6,987 primary and secondary students at state schools taking free schools meals - or 16.8% of all pupils.
As of 2018/19, however, that had rocketed to 11,446 such pupils, or 19.5% of Bristol students.
At the same time, food bank usage is soaring.
There were 15,757 emergency food parcels handed out to Bristol people by the Trussell Trust in the financial year 2018/19.
That compared with 8,297 parcels issued in 2013/14, when comparable records began.
Food bank usage has been increasingly linked to the rollout of the controversial six-in-one benefit of Universal Credit
While free school meal numbers and food bank dependency is on the rise, other things in Bristol have fallen over the past 10 years.
The Trussell Trust’s chief executive Emma Revie said: “What we are seeing year-upon-year is more and more people struggling to eat because they simply cannot afford food. This is not right.
“Enough is enough. We know this situation can be fixed – that’s why we’re campaigning to create a future where no one needs a food bank.
"Our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty.
"Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics.
"As a priority, we’re urging the government to end the wait for Universal Credit to ease the pressure on thousands of households.
“Ultimately, it’s unacceptable that anyone should have to use a food bank in the first place. No charity can replace the dignity of having financial security.
"That’s why in the long-term, we’re urging the Government to ensure benefit payments reflect the true cost of living and work is secure, paying the real Living Wage, to help ensure we are all anchored from poverty.”
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