Thousands fear they'll skip meals if Universal Credit payments get cut
The Trussell Trust has published the results of a survey showing the impact of the £20-a-week cut that's due to happen next month
134,000 people living in the South East fear they'll be forced to skip meals if the government presses ahead with cuts to Universal Credit payments next month.
That's according to the results of a survey conducted by the Trussell Trust, which also shows the £20-a-week cut could leave 161,000 in our region unable to heat their homes.
The charity is part of a coalition of 100 organisations urgently calling on the government to stop the cut as part of the Keep the Lifeline campaign.
Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said: “Cutting this lifeline will be a devastating blow for thousands of people across the South East already struggling to make ends meet. These are families already caught in impossible situations who worry every day about switching on the heating and feeding their children. Families who are nearly at breaking point but just about managing to keep their heads above water.
“This research reveals the shocking consequences of what lies ahead if this lifeline is cut in October. No one should have to suffer the indignity of not being able to afford the essentials in life – like food or heating. That’s why we’re saying it would be wrong of the UK government to take away £20 a week from already precarious incomes and push even more people through the doors of food banks.
“The answer must be to ensure our social security system provides people with enough money to cover the essentials. At the very least we’re saying this October, the UK government must choose to protect people and choose to keep the lifeline."