Trussell Trust has joined forces with the Independent Food Aid Network and Feeding Britain to collectively call on the Prime Minister to use her powers to ensure everyone has enough income to afford life’s essentials.
The Trussell Trust’s research found that millions of people in receipt of Universal Credit experienced severe financial hardship this summer due to the rising cost of living. Two in five (40%) have needed to skip meals to keep up with other essential living costs.
Flora Schweighofer, Southwark Food Bank community engagement officer, said: “I am worried that more and more people will not be able to afford the essentials, and therefore need to use a food bank or other form of charitable food aid for the first time.
“But I am especially concerned about the situation facing people who are already struggling, whose income did not reach far enough, even before this dramatic rise in the cost of everyday life. I am worried about how this will affect the mental and physical health of many people in our community.”