Universal Credit research reveals 'stark truth' about poverty in Scotland, claims Trussell Trust
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FOOD bank support charity Trussell Trust has claimed that Universal Credit in Scotland is having "devastating"consequences.
Newly released research conducted by YouGov on behalf of the charity has revealed that 35,900 people (seven per cent) claiming Universal Credit in Scotland have been forced to use a food bank in the last month, and half (51 per cent) ran out of food in the last month and could not afford more. Also, in the last three months, 20 per cent of people claiming Universal Credit in Scotland were unable to cook hot food as they could not afford to use the oven or other utilities.
The trust is urging the First Minister to prioritise support for people on the lowest incomes by continuing to deliver their plan, ‘Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland’, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week and significantly boosting funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund.
The survey also found that 241,000 people claiming Universal Credit in Scotland (47 per cent) have either fallen behind on bills and credit commitments or are finding it a constant struggle to keep up with them. Two in five people (41 per cent) are behind on one or more household bill.
According to the research the impact of inadequate Universal Credit in Scotland stretches even further, with a fifth (22 per cent) of people missing an essential appointment, such as visiting the doctor or going to work, because they couldn’t afford the cost of transport in the last three months, four in 10 (40 per cent) people being unable to keep their home warm this winter, and approximately 195,000 people (38 per cent) skipping meals to keep up with other essential costs like utilities or rent in the last three months.
The Trussell Trust says that the new data further demonstrates the need for stronger, lasting support for people on the lowest incomes. In addition to calling for immediate action from the First Minister, it is calling on the UK government to introduce an Essentials Guarantee, so that the basic rate of Universal Credit is always enough to cover life’s essentials and support can never be pulled below that level.
Polly Jones, Head of Scotland at the Trussell Trust, said: “This research reveals the stark truth about poverty in Scotland.
"With over half of Universal Credit claimants unable to afford enough food, and some not even being to afford to cook food, the First Minister cannot stand by and let this continue.
“The Scottish Government must prioritise tackling poverty and hardship in our communities by continuing to work to their plan, ‘Cash-First: Towards Ending the Need for Food Banks in Scotland’, increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week and boosting funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund.
“We also need to see the UK government introduce an Essentials Guarantee, to ensure that people on the lowest incomes can afford the essentials such as food, heating, clothing, and hygiene products.
“We want to see a Scotland where no one needs to access charitable food aid. We need urgent action now to increase people’s incomes and ensure everyone has enough money to afford the essentials. Every member of the Scottish Parliament has a responsibility to deliver the positive changes needed to tackle hardship and poverty and to achieve the ambition we all share of a Scotland where no one needs to use a food bank.”
