The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Trussell Trust, revealed that 780,000 people (12%) claiming Universal Credit have been forced to use a food bank in the last month (Dec 23/Jan 24), and more than half (55%) ran out of food in the last month and couldn’t afford more. Also, in the last three months, 22% of people claiming Universal Credit were unable to cook hot food as they couldn’t afford to use their oven or other utilities.

The research added:

• 55% of people receiving Universal Credit ran out of food last month and couldn’t afford more.
• 780,000 people claiming Universal Credit have needed to use a food bank in the last month.
• Half (52%) of people claiming Universal Credit are either behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them.
• 2.4 million people claiming Universal Credit (37%) have fallen into debt because they couldn’t keep up with essential bills.

The survey found that 3.4 million people claiming Universal Credit (52%) have either fallen behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them. Two in five people (42%) are behind on one or more household bill.

The impact of inadequate Universal Credit stretches even further, with one in four (26%) people missing an essential appointment, such as visiting the doctor or travelling to work, because they couldn’t afford the cost of transport in the last three months. In the same period, approximately 2.7 million people (42%) had to skip meals to keep up with other essential costs like utilities or rent. Two in five (43%) people reported being unable to keep their home warm this winter.

The Trussell Trust says that the new data further demonstrates the need for stronger, lasting support for people on the lowest incomes and that the Chancellor must prioritise support for those on the lowest incomes in the Spring Budget, including an extension to the Household Support Fund which has provided a lifeline for millions of people hit by high or unexpected costs.

Temporary measures such as the cost of living payments have helped people on the lowest incomes in the short term, but they have only provided short-term respite. A more permanent solution urgently needs to be put in place. The Trussell Trust is calling on the UK government to introduce an Essentials Guarantee so the basic rate of Universal Credit is always enough to cover life’s essentials and support can never be pulled below that level.

The proposal is backed by 100+ organisations across the charity and business sectors, as well as dozens of celebrities and faith leaders who last month signed an open letter demanding politicians address the growing levels of poverty in the UK.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “This research emphasises the stark truth about poverty across the UK and the government cannot stand by and let this continue. They must act now to implement permanent solutions that alleviate the hardship faced by so many and prevent people from spiralling deeper into poverty.

“Food banks do all they can to support people in their communities, but charities alone can’t take the place of a social security system that should support any of us who have fallen on hard times and need help. The Chancellor must commit to extending the Household Support Fund as part of the Spring Budget, which has provided a lifeline for so many people. Cutting off the funding in March would leave a huge gap in support that neither councils nor charities can fill.

“Alongside this, the government must act now to introduce an Essentials Guarantee, ensuring social security provides a protected minimum amount of support so that people can always afford the essentials, such as food and household bills.

“We know that the public is deeply concerned about poverty and hunger, with 72% supporting our call for an Essentials Guarantee and tens of thousands already having signed our petition calling for an Essentials Guarantee. We encourage anyone who believes that Universal Credit should always protect people from going without the essentials to join them.

“Every member of the UK Parliament has to take responsibility for making the changes needed to tackle poverty and to bring about the changes required to move towards ending the need for food banks, for good.”

In Scotland, the charity is urging First Minister Humza Yousaf to prioritise support for people on the lowest incomes by continuing to deliver their plan, ‘Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland’, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week and significantly boosting funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund.

In addition to calling for immediate action from the First Minister, it is calling on the UK Government to introduce an Essentials Guarantee, so that the basic rate of Universal Credit is always enough to cover life’s essentials and support for people on the lowest incomes.

Polly Jones, head of Scotland at the Trussell Trust, said: “This research reveals the stark truth about poverty in Scotland. With over half of Universal Credit claimants unable to afford enough food, and some not even being to afford to cook food, the First Minister cannot stand by and let this continue.

“The Scottish Government must prioritise tackling poverty and hardship in our communities by continuing to work to their plan, ‘Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland’, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week and boosting funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund.
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“We also need to see the UK Government introduce an Essentials Guarantee, to ensure that people on the lowest incomes can afford the essentials such as food, heating, clothing, and hygiene products.

“We want to see a Scotland where no one needs to access charitable food aid. We need urgent action now to increase people’s incomes and ensure everyone has enough money to afford the essentials.

“Every member of the Scottish Parliament has a responsibility to deliver the positive changes needed to tackle hardship and poverty and to achieve the ambition we all share of a Scotland where no one needs to use a food bank.”

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Universal Credit, which is wholly reserved to the UK Government, is failing the people it is designed to support and is driving more people into poverty.

“That’s why the Scottish Government is continuing to call on UK ministers to introduce an Essentials Guarantee, to ensure Universal Credit is sufficient for people to afford basic vital items such as food and heating.

“We are committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure through the 2024-25 Budget, which is £1.1bn more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security.

“This is money going directly to people who need it the most in the current cost of living crisis.

“Independence would allow us to create an integrated system of support that works for everyone.”