Payments to those on Universal Credit could rise to £120 a week under a new plan. The Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation are calling for an 'Essentials Guarantee' from the government, after it was found that more people are being sent to the foodbanks due to "inadequate social security levels".
The two charities stated that almost 1.3m food parcels were given out between April 2022 and September 2022, and that 90% of low-income households on Universal Credit are regularly going without essentials. The 'Essentials Guarantee' would mean that people on the DWP benefit can access food, vital household goods and utilities, reports Lancashire Live.
This would lead to payments being increased to £120 per week for a single claimant, and £200 for a couple. The Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation are calling for the new guarantee from the government, which they say will protect people from going without essential items.
Who is the greatest Nottinghamian? Have your say in our poll
The charities have also said that, if the Essentials Guarantee was implemented before full rollout of Universal Credit, it should also be applied to legacy benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance. The estimated cost of implementing the Essential Guarantee would be around an additional £22bn a year, assuming a full rollout of Universal Credit.
However, campaigners argue there would be huge savings to public services, as a result of improved outcomes.
READ NEXT:
