Universal Credit crisis sees food banks preparing to dish out 1.5 million meals in busiest Christmas ever
UNIVERSAL Credit will drive more Brits to foodbanks this Christmas than ever before, charities have warned.
The Trussell Trust said they were getting ready for a mammoth month after figures revealed they gave away 160,000 food parcels last December - with volunteers gearing up to give away 1.5million meals to hungry families this Christmas.
Last year, 1.4million meals were given out - up 10 per cent from the December before, and almost 50 per cent more than the average monthly total for the whole of 2017.
And charity workers say that Universal Credit's five week wait is driving more to use their services than ever before.
The number of donations given out by Trussell Trust food banks has been rising year on year.
The charity, which provides emergency three-day food packages for Brits in need of help, is asking the public to help with donations.
CEO Emma Revie said: "Christmas is supposed to be a time for joy but what we’re seeing is the festive period becoming increasingly stressful for more and more people across the country.
"Our benefits system is supposed protect us all from being swept into poverty – but what we’re seeing is people struggling to heat homes and put food on the table because they simply cannot afford the basics anymore and that just isn’t right."
They called for ministers to cut the five week wait for Brits on Universal Credit to "help ensure we are all anchored from poverty".
Support your local food bank at Tesco
When you shop at Tesco between 29 November and 1 December 2018, buy an extra item or two of food and you can donate it directly to The Trussell Trust and other local charities feeding people this Christmas.
The retailer is also donating 20 per cent of the value of goods bought in store that are donated to the Trussell Trust, while Unilever will be donating 5p from each sale of certain products in Tesco - including PG Tips - to the charity.
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The charity says delays to benefits, benefit changes and general low income were the top three reasons why people were made to visit a foodbank.
Universal Credit has been beset with problems since it's been being rolled out across the country - and Brits say the five week wait for payments is driving them into debt.
One mum even said she was forced to take £30 for sex work to pay for food while she waited for Universal Credit.
New Work and Pensions boss Amber Rudd has vowed to "fix" the problems with the flagship benefit system.
She's hinted she could cut the five week wait, and will also review payments around how housing gets paid, and debt repayments.
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