The anti-poverty charity is urging the Chancellor to take action to increase long-term support for people struggling to get by on universal credit and commit to extending the Household Support Fund as soon as possible.
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 2023/Jan 2024).
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.
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.
“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.”