The Trussell Trust has today published new research that reveals the devastating consequences of the inadequacy of Universal Credit across the UK. The anti-poverty charity is urging the Chancellor to take urgent action to increase long-term support for people struggling to get by on Universal Credit and commit to extending the Household Support Fund as soon as possible.
The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Trussell Trust, revealed that 780,000 people (12%) claiming Universal Credit have been forced to use a food bank in the last month (Dec 23/Jan 24), and more than half (55%) ran out of food in the last month and couldn’t afford more. Also, in the last three months, 22% of people claiming Universal Credit were unable to cook hot food as they couldn’t afford to use their oven or other utilities.
- 55% of people receiving Universal Credit ran out of food last month and couldn’t afford more.
- 780,000 people claiming Universal Credit have needed to use a food bank in the last month.
- Half (52%) of people claiming Universal Credit are either behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them.
- 2.4 million people claiming Universal Credit (37%) have fallen into debt because they couldn’t keep up with essential bills.
The survey found that 3.4 million people claiming Universal Credit (52%) have either fallen behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them. Two in five people (42%) are behind on one or more household bill.
The impact of inadequate Universal Credit stretches even further, with one in four (26%) people missing an essential appointment, such as visiting the doctor or travelling to work, because they couldn’t afford the cost of transport in the last three months. In the same period approximately 2.7 million people (42%) had to skip meals to keep up with other essential costs like utilities or rent. Two in five (43%) people reported being unable to keep their home warm this winter.
The Trussell Trust says that the new data further demonstrates the need for stronger, lasting support for people on the lowest incomes and that the Chancellor must prioritise support for those on the lowest incomes in the Spring Budget, including an extension to the Household Support Fund which has provided a lifeline for millions of people hit by high or unexpected costs.
Temporary measures such as the cost of living payments have helped people on the lowest incomes in the short term, but they have only provided short-term respite. A more permanent solution urgently needs to be put in place. The Trussell Trust is calling on the UK government to introduce an Essentials Guarantee so the basic rate of Universal Credit is always enough to cover life’s essentials and support can never be pulled below that level.
The proposal is backed by 100+ organisations across the charity and business sectors, as well as dozens of celebrities and faith leaders who last month signed an open letter demanding politicians address the growing levels of poverty in the UK.
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said:
“This research emphasises the stark truth about poverty across the UK and the government cannot stand by and let this continue. They must act now to implement permanent solutions that alleviate the hardship faced by so many and prevent people from spiralling deeper into poverty.
“Food banks do all they can to support people in their communities, but charities alone can’t take the place of a social security system that should support any of us who have fallen on hard times and need help. The Chancellor must commit to extending the Household Support Fund as part of the Spring Budget, which has provided a lifeline for so many people. Cutting off the funding in March would leave a huge gap in support that neither councils nor charities can fill.
“Alongside this, the government must act now to introduce an Essentials Guarantee, ensuring social security provides a protected minimum amount of support so that people can always afford the essentials, such as food and household bills.
“We know that the public is deeply concerned about poverty and hunger, with 72% supporting our call for an Essentials Guarantee and tens of thousands already having signed our petition calling for an Essentials Guarantee. We encourage anyone who believes that Universal Credit should always protect people from going without the essentials to join them.
“Every member of the UK Parliament has to take responsibility for making the changes needed to tackle poverty and to bring about the changes required to move towards ending the need for food banks, for good.”
Jane Baker, Newcastle (Staffs) Foodbank, said:
“Many of the people we support at Newcastle-Staffs Foodbank are in receipt of Universal Credit, finding that it is just not enough to last until the next payment. We are here to provide food in an emergency, but we are increasingly seeing people once a month when the money runs out. In the words of one person who needed our help ‘By week three, things are tight, by week four, there is nothing left’. Universal Credit simply doesn’t provide enough to cover the basic essentials we all need to survive and it’s not right that people are in this position. Alongside the Trussell Trust, we are asking for an Essentials Guarantee to ensure that no one goes hungry, because everyone can afford the essentials.”
To join the Trussell Trust in calling for a stronger social security system that helps end the need for food banks, support the Essentials Guarantee campaign and sign the petition.
