Trussell Trust says 2 in 5 Brits on Universal Credit forced into "downward spiral of debt"
The charity is calling on the government for support
The Trussell Trust say that two in five Brits that receive Universal Credit have been forced into debt this winter just to eat and pay bills, according to new research.
They say the data has revealed the true and devastating consequences of the current cost of living crisis, with hundreds of thousands of families across the country struggling to get by.
A new poll conducted by YouGov showed that 33% of those surveyed had more than one day in the last month where they didn’t eat at all or had only one meal, while the same amount of people have not been able to heat their home for more than four days across the last month.
They claim that the rise in the cost of living means people are having to choose between the essentials like food or heating.
The charity say that the situation is only set to get worse with inflation set to hit at least 7% this April, but benefit levels going up by just 3.1%.
The Salisbury based foodbank charity is calling on the UK government to increase benefits by at least 7% this April as a bare minimum, to bring them in line with the true rate of inflation.
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said:
“Right now, the cost of living is forcing hundreds of thousands of families across the country into a downward spiral of debt just to get by. People are telling us they're going days with minimal food, are having to endure the cold to save money and are being forced to turn to food banks with devastating effects on people’s mental health. Social security should be protecting people from debt and food banks - not pushing them towards it.
“This isn’t right. We know the situation is only set to get worse and we cannot wait any longer. That’s why we are calling on the UK Government to bring benefits in line with the forecast rate of inflation as a bare minimum in the upcoming Spring Statement, to prevent thousands more people being forced into debt and through the doors of food banks. Longer term, it is vital we strengthen our social security system so it protects us all from harm and invest in local crisis support so no one needs to use a food bank to get by.”
The public are being urged by the charity to write to their local MPs, asking the Chancellor to take action.