On Friday 8th September, The Trussell Trust, in partnership with The Joseph Rountree Foundation, launched the Guarantee our Essentials campaign: Guarantee our essentials – The Trussell Trust
Why do we need an Essentials Guarantee?
“The basic rate of Universal Credit should at least cover the cost of essentials like food, household bills and travel costs, but it is not currently set according to any objective assessment of what people need.
Right now, this is only £85 a week for a single adult. That means there’s a significant shortfall between people’s living costs and their income, which is forcing many to skip meals, switch off essential appliances such as fridges, and unable to pay essential bills.
That’s why we’re working with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation to call for an Essentials Guarantee within Universal Credit, which means the basic rate at least covers life’s essentials and that support can never be pulled below that level.”
Here at Oswestry & Borders Foodbank we are supporting the campaign by encouraging our users and supporters to sign the petition. The more signatures we get, the more impact we will have on local and national Government.
Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition already. For those who have not yet done so, please take a moment to add your signature too. Ahead of the next general election, call on UK political party leaders to make sure Universal Credit protects people from going without the essentials. | The Trussell Trust
Together we will end the need for foodbanks. Thank you.
Further information
See the full report An Essentials Guarantee: reforming Universal Credit to ensure we
can all afford the essentials in hard times: Guarantee our Essentials: reforming Universal Credit to ensure we can all afford the essentials in hard times | JRF