Universal Credit has increased use of foodbanks, Rudd admits
FOOD BANK use has increased due to the universal credit rollout, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has admitted.
Ms Rudd said it was “absolutely clear” there had been issues with roll-out and said people being unable to access money “led to an increase in food bank use”. Labour MP Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland West) had asked about the impact of the roll-out during Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) questions in the Commons.
The DWP Secretary said: “We’re committed to a strong safety net where people need it.
“It’s absolutely clear there were challenges with the initial rollout of universal credit and the main issue that led to an increase in food bank use could have been the fact that people had difficulties accessing their money early enough.
“We have made changes to accessing universal credit so people can have advances, so there is a legacy run on after two weeks of housing benefit, and we believe that will help with food bank use.”
Asked later whether Theresa May agreed with the Work and Pensions Secretary’s assessment of the impact of UC on food bank use, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman told a Westminster media briefing: “We have long acknowledged that there were issues with the initial rollout of Universal Credit.
“That’s why we have listened and made improvements, such as extending advances, removing waiting days and introducing Housing Benefit run-on.
“These changes are giving support to vulnerable people who need it most, while at the same time helping people get into work faster.”
Mrs Hodgson, who is cochairing the Children’s Future Food inquiry, told the Commons her investigations into families struggling to feed their children showed the roll-out had left them “worse not better” off.
Ms Rudd responded positively, saying: “I am as committed, as she is, about tackling food insecurity, obviously particularly for children.