Call to end Universal Credit pay delays

AS NEW figures reveal the level of generosity from the public to food banks in the East Midlands in the run up to last Christmas, the Trussell Trust is calling on the government to end the five week wait for Universal Credit.

New figures released on Wednesday show 174.43 tonnes of food were donated to food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network in the East Midlands in December 2019, including its foodbank in Loughborough.

The Trussell Trust is asking the government to match the public’s commitment to stopping people going hungry by playing its part and sticking to its manifesto pledge to ‘do more to make sure Universal Credit works for the most vulnerable’.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Food banks in the East Midlands were truly overwhelmed by the level of generosity from the public in the run up to Christmas. These donations show communities and individuals, driven by compassion and justice, are doing what they can to help people facing hunger, but no charity can replace the dignity of having enough money to buy your own food.

“It’s in our power as a country to end the need for food banks. To reach that future, we need to make sure everyone has enough money for the essentials. The government’s first priority must be ensuring our benefits system anchors us all from the rising tide of poverty by ending the five week wait for Universal Credit.”

While the amount of food donated allowed food banks to support increasing numbers of people, the Trussell Trust is also asking the public to check what items their local food bank is most in need of and to donate all year round to ensure vital support is available to local people in crisis, no matter the time of year.