The Trussell Trust have published new research which shows that almost half of people arriving at food banks in the Trussell Trust network during the Covid-19 crisis are in debt to the Department of Work and Pensions. One of the key drivers of this debt is Advance Payments, loans from the DWP primarily used to cover the five-week wait. In their survey of people arriving at food banks during the crisis, they found that 73% of those receiving UC were repaying an Advance Payment – despite clearly being unable to afford food. This is up from 51% before the pandemic.
This is unacceptable. That is why they have launched our new Hunger Free Future campaign. This campaign encompasses both their ongoing concerns with UC, and their new organisational strategy to end the need for food banks by tackling the systemic causes for destitution.
The Trussell Trust would appreciate your continued support for their campaigning efforts to improve the social security safety net and address the systemic barriers to people having a secure and sustainable income.
You can read more about the campaign here.
The week of the 7th December The Trussell Trust will be holding a plate protest online and in public windows.
If you would like to work with the Trussell Trust on their campaign then please do get in touch with them: action@trusselltrust.org
