When people are going without, it's time to...
In the last financial year, food banks in our network have seen the highest ever level of need, distributing close to 3 million (2,986,203) emergency food parcels — including more than a million to children. This is the most parcels the network has ever distributed in a single year.
Our social security system should support anyone in need of help, but more and more people are finding it impossible to make ends meet because Universal Credit is falling short, and it’s pushing people to food banks.
Help us change this by adding your name to our petition.
Around 90% of low-income households receiving Universal Credit are going without at least one essential like food, a warm home or toiletries.
Take action now
Your help can make a difference. We’re calling on UK political party leaders to make sure Universal Credit protects people from going without the essentials. You can join thousands of people who are taking a stand and urging party leaders to take action.
Our petition calls on UK political party leaders to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit to ensure that the basic rate at least covers life’s essentials, such as food and bills.
Add your name today.
Join us in calling for an Essentials Guarantee
We need an Essentials Guarantee
The basic rate of Universal Credit should at least cover the cost of essentials like food, household bills and travel costs, but it is not currently set according to any objective assessment of what people need.
Right now, this is only £85 a week for a single adult. That means there’s a significant shortfall between people’s living costs and their income, which is forcing many to skip meals, switch off essential appliances such as fridges, and unable to pay essential bills.
That’s why we’re working with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to call for an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit, which means the basic rate at least covers life’s essentials and that support can never be pulled below that level. Read more on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.
Poverty is all around us, it is likely there will be people going hungry on your street, at your work, or someone you wave to on the school run. Many are trying to survive on ever decreasing budgets and that is why it is imperative that Universal Credit rates increase so that everyone can afford to buy the essentials.
Lynsey Agnew, CEO Lisburn Foodbank