New figures show Universal Credit claimants in the East of England can't afford food
Half have been affected by food poverty over the last month
New figures reveal half of people receiving Universal Credit in the East of England have been unable to afford enough food within the last month.
Anti-poverty charity, the Trussell Trust, is calling on the government to take action.
It's as they today publish data that shows, in our region:
• 50% of people receiving Universal Credit ran out of food last month and couldn’t afford more.
• 89,700 people claiming Universal Credit have needed to use a food bank in the last month.
• Over half (59%) 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.
• 182,000 people claiming Universal Credit (35%) have fallen into debt because they couldn’t keep up with essential bills.
The anti-poverty charity is now 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 in more detail
The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Trussell Trust, revealed that, in the East of England, 89,700 (17%) people claiming Universal Credit have been forced to use a food bank in the last month (Dec 23/Jan 24), and half (50%) ran out of food in the last month and couldn’t afford more.
Also, in the last three months, 21% of people claiming Universal Credit were unable to cook hot food as they couldn’t afford to use their oven or other utilities.
The survey found that 313,000 people claiming Universal Credit (59%) have either fallen behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them. 
Almost half of people (45%) are behind on one or more household bill.
One in four (25%) people in the East also reported missing an essential appointment, such as visiting the doctor or going to work, because they couldn’t afford the cost of transport in the last three months.
In the same period approximately 188,000 people (36%) had to skip meals to keep up with other essential costs like utilities or rent. Four in ten (39%) people were unable to keep their home warm this winter.
"They have only provided short-term respite"
The Trussell Trust says that the new data further demonstrates the need for stronger, longer-lasting support for people on the lowest incomes.
They also reiterated 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 they say has provided a lifeline for millions of people hit by high or unexpected costs.
In a statement, the charity said: "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.
"Food banks do all they can to support people in their communities"
Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, Emma Revie, 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.”
What does the government say?
The government has announced that, from April, changes to benefits will mean Universal Credit payments will rise.