The number of people using food banks in west London has increased by almost a third over the past year, new figures show.

Between April 1 2014 and March 31 2015, more than 14,000 west Londoners, including more than 5,000 children, received at least three days' worth of emergency supplies from Trussell Trust food banks.

The figure, which does not account for those using independent food banks, was up 31% on the same period a year earlier, when nearly 11,000 people relied on west London food banks.

Ealing experienced a significantly higher increase than any surrounding borough, with user numbers skyrocketing from 933 in 2013/14 to 3,266 in 2014/15 – a 250% increase.

Hillingdon and Hammersmith & Fulham bucked the trend, as the only west London boroughs to see numbers drop year-on-year.

National figures released on Wednesday (April 22) showed that across the UK more than 1m people used the charity's food banks over the last financial year – more than ever before – including more than 100,000 in London.

The trust said the biggest driver was problems with benefits, such as payment delays and changes, but added that low income was increasingly becoming a factor. Referrals made because of sickness, homelessness and unemployment also increased slightly over the 12 months, the trust said.

Director Adrian Curtis said: “Despite welcome signs of economic recovery, hunger continues to affect significant numbers of men, women and children in the UK today.

“It’s difficult to be sure of the full extent of the problem as Trussell Trust figures don’t include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help.”

He added: “The Trussell Trust’s latest figures highlight how vital it is that we all work to prevent and relieve hunger in the UK.

“It’s crucial that we listen to the experiences of people using food banks to truly understand the nature of the problems they face. What people who have gone hungry have to say holds the key to finding the solution.”

Number of Trussell Trust food bank users in 2014/15

Borough Adults Children Total Annual change (%)
Hillingdon 1,298 639 1,937 -4
Harrow 1,622 1.047 2,669 36
Ealing 2,017 1,249 3,266 250
Hounslow 0 0 0 0
Brent 1,319 606 1,925 73
Kensington & Chelsea 721 271 992 25
Hammersmith & Fulham 2,337 1,214 3,551 -14
West London total 9,314 5,026 14,340 31