Universal Credit leads to surge in demand
FOODBANK use soared 30% during the first six months of Universal Credit roll-outs across the country, The Trussell Trust claims.
The number of foodbanks will triple in the run-up to Christmas in areas where the system is in use, it warned.
Welfare payment issues account for 43% of referrals to the charity schemes.
Oxfam said it is “probably the tip of the iceberg” and called for a cut in the six-week wait for initial Universal Credit payments.
Debbie Abrahams, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, urged ministers to pause and “fix” the programme.