Almost one in five people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits have used a food bank in the last month, Trussell reports
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Hunger and hardship are already at record levels. Welfare and
disability benefit cuts risk pushing even more people to the doors
of food banks, says anti-poverty charity Trussell
More than three quarters (77%) of people claiming Universal Credit
and disability benefits have gone without essentials in the last
six months. Just over four in ten (43%) people claiming
Universal Credit and disability benefit have skipped meals to
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Hunger and hardship are already at record levels. Welfare and disability benefit cuts risk pushing even more people to the doors of food banks, says anti-poverty charity Trussell
Trussell has published new research that demonstrates the inadequacy of social security for disabled people across the UK. The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of Trussell, reveals that almost one in five (19%) people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits have used a food bank in the last month, while a shocking 77% have gone without essentials in the last six months. Just over four in ten (43%) people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have skipped meals to keep up with other essential costs in the last three months, while more than a third (37%) said they had not been able to keep their home warm enough this winter. Meanwhile, a quarter (25%) of people in receipt of Universal Credit and disability benefits have had to choose between paying for heating/food, or getting a bed/bedding in the last three months. “I'm terrified the government will stop or cut disability benefits and if they do, I can't bear to think of the outcome,” said one person in their survey response. Another person said: “It's just going to get worse, my health will get worse. I won't be able to renew my car insurance in March, or get an MOT this year. I think I'll soon fall behind with gas and electric bills. If the government switch to a voucher scheme for disability payments, I'll probably starve!” A quarter (25%) of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have been unable to afford pain relief or other over the counter medication in the last three months. Four in ten (37%) participants were behind on bills, with 28% behind on gas or electricity in particular. Just over half (52%) of people claiming Universal Credit were pessimistic about their own financial situation over the next year. Additionally, 58% said the UK government is doing badly at improving living standards for people in their situation. Trussell is an anti-poverty charity and community of 1,400 food banks across the UK. Disabled people are overrepresented at food banks, as 75% of people referred to a food bank in the Trussell community said that they or a member of their household are disabled. To fulfil its long-term ambitions, Trussell says the UK government must take serious action to reduce hunger and hardship by investing in social security. Focusing on short term cuts will just push more people deeper into poverty and to hunger and hardship, and this will harm us all. Trussell has joined together with hundreds of communities, food banks and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in calling on the UK government to create an Essentials Guarantee in Universal Credit, which means the basic rate at least cover's life's essentials and that support can never be pulled below that level. The majority of participants in the new survey agree, with 83% saying they would support an Essentials Guarantee. Sumi Rabindrakumar, head of policy and research at Trussell, said: “Trussell's heartbreaking new findings show that Universal Credit and disability benefits are failing to cover the cost of living, with 77% of people receiving them having gone without the essentials in the last six months. Not only that, but one in five people have had to use a food bank. This should not be the case in one of the richest countries in the world.
“We agree with the UK government that disability benefits urgently need reform. But balancing the books cannot come at the expense of people already having to survive on incredibly low incomes, and people with physical and mental ill health conditions. Our data shows that disabled people are far more likely to need support from a food bank, which likely reflects that life costs more for disabled people, with additional costs like therapies, treatments, specialist kit to help with day-to-day activities and paid care to think about on top of food, bills and toiletries. “Welfare and disability benefit cuts risk pushing even more people to the doors of food banks. Many disabled people are terrified of the prospect of cuts to disability benefits, which are already not enough to live on. If the UK government is committed to its promise to end the need for emergency food, it must address underlying barriers to work and flaws in our social security system. It must also commit to creating an Essentials Guarantee which would ensure everyone can at the very least afford the essentials we all need, such as food, bills and toiletries- not whip away lifelines from people who need them most.” -ENDS- Notes to editors:
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