Doncaster mum-of-two calls for the Universal Credit uplift to be reinstated in today's budget
Nicola Southgate, who lives in Balby, says she's got around £90 a month less to spend on food following the recent cuts
A single South Yorkshire mum-of-two admits recent cuts to Universal Credit payments are leaving her around £90 a month worse off.
Nicola Southgate, from Doncaster, is calling on the Government to bring back the weekly uplift in today's autumn budget, which was scrapped at the start of October.
The payments temporarily increased in line with the start of the coronavirus pandemic back in 2020, but critics argue it shouldn't have been reduced again following a rise in fuel and energy prices.
The student counsellor tells us she's feeling the effects of the changes whenever she visits the supermarket:
"I go for the cheaper and reduced options, or I have to think about what I can cook that's going to last longer.
"I can't afford to go for the more expensive and healthier options.
"For example, I have to buy cheaper mince rather than the healthier mince, which's having an effect on my children's health.
"My Universal Credit went into my bank account this month, and it's gone down to £750.
"I've got to pay £350 rent out of that, as well as all of my other utility bills, which isn't fair.
Meanwhile, Balby resident Nicola tells us she now feels 'guilty' whenever she eats, as she's scared of her children going hungry:
"These circumstances are making my health problems worse. I've got an eating disorder, and what's happened with Universal Credit has triggered it.
"I'm absolutely petrified to eat in case I can't afford to eat.
"It's really stressful managing money, when you just want the best for your children and what's best for you."