
The Trussell Trust Blog
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The Trussell Trust is working to stop UK hunger and poverty. Our network of foodbanks provides emergency food and support to people in crisis. Follow our progress in fighting UK poverty with the latest news and blog posts from the Trussell Trust.
The Trussell Trust Blog
7M ago
By Sumi Rabindrakumar, Head of Policy and Research
Many of us are eagerly waiting for the new UK Government to turn its attention to our flawed social security system. In the meantime, the King’s Speech set out some welcome long-term proposals to turn the tide of hunger and hardship.
This is a big set-piece full of pomp and ceremony. It isn’t always the most riveting TV. But this King’s Speech set out some vital steps towards a future where everyone can afford the essentials.
The two main positives were strengthening workers’ rights and renters’ rights.
Strengthening workers’ rights
We know on ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
7M ago
Natalie Campbell has been appointed as the Trussell Trust’s new Chair of Trustees. Natalie is taking over from Stephen Hicks CBE, who has come to the end of his term as Chair since being appointed in 2017.
Natalie brings a wealth of experience from her career as a social entrepreneur and experienced non-exec director. Her unique combination of skills developed through a portfolio career in the public, private and social sectors will help guide us forward as we work to end the need for food banks in the UK.
Natalie is currently CEO of Belu Water, an ethical drinks business which gives away 100 ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
9M ago
By Beatrice Orchard, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager
In the last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels – the highest number in our history.
This is not a new record anyone wanted to set.
These statistics help to shine a spotlight on the extent of hardship facing communities across the UK. This year, as we approach the forthcoming general election, we must also use them to draw attention to the solutions that can finally reverse this horrifying trend of ever-increasing food bank need.
There has been a shocking 94% increa ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
By Rory Weal – Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager
The Chancellor yesterday asserted that his budget would be all about taking the “long-term” decisions. However, what we saw was long-term decisions for some – namely tax cuts benefiting middle and higher earners – but only short-term sticking plasters for those on the lowest incomes, the people most in need of support.
The background to the budget has seen unprecedented numbers of people unable to afford essentials such as food, heating and clothing, and being forced to turn to food banks. That’s why it was so important that the Chancello ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
Credit: Jess Hurd
Today, we (along with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) handed in our petition to the leaders of UK political parties in Westminster, urging them to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee.
This would enshrine in law the principle that Universal Credit always, at a minimum, provides enough to cover the cost of the essentials such as food, utilities and vital household goods.
More than 150,000 people stood together and signed the petition, and the Essentials Guarantee has also received overwhelming support from across the charity and business sectors, as well as a hu ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
The Trussell Trust has today published new research that reveals the devastating consequences of the inadequacy of Universal Credit across the UK. The anti-poverty charity is urging the Chancellor to take urgent 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 23/Jan 24), and more than half (55%) ran ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
The Trussell Trust has partnered with BanktheFood, a small charity helping food banks get essential supplies, to ensure that our food banks get the items they need the most so they can continue supporting people facing hardship in their local communities. The partnership will make it easier for people across the UK to find out the best items to donate to their local food bank.
Across the UK, food banks are at breaking point. The soaring cost of living is leaving people with no option but to turn to their local food bank – and the amount of help needed is outstripping donations. BanktheFood’s f ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
By Helen Barnard – Director of Policy, Research and Impact
From this week, many people receiving social security benefits such as Universal Credit will receive a one-off cost of living payment from the government. This will provide welcome relief, but only for a short period.
People are forced to turn to food banks because their incomes are just too low to cover the essentials we all need to survive. Nearly six in 10 people on Universal Credit can’t afford to eat properly, most are having to go without other essentials, and many are also behind with bills and seeing debt pile up with no way to ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
Left to right: Event sponsor and Conservative MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP, lived experience speaker, Val McKie, and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP. (Copyright Georgie Scott/Trussell Trust)
By Beatrice Orchard – Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager
Yesterday, we hosted an event in the House of Commons to talk about what is pushing people to food banks, and about the building blocks that are needed to end hunger for good.
The event brought MPs together with staff and volunteers from our food banks, people with their own experiences of pover ..read more
The Trussell Trust Blog
1y ago
Dozens of celebrities and faith leaders, including Ed Sheeran, Jodie Whittaker and Liam Gallagher, have signed an open letter demanding politicians address the growing levels of poverty in the UK.
The letter was co-written by the Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and calls for political leaders to commit to an ‘Essentials Guarantee’ in their 2024 election manifestos, to ensure the basic rate of Universal Credit covers the cost of life’s essentials.
Other celebrity signatories include Stephen Fry, Dame Emma Thompson, Nish Kumar and Liam Payne, with faith leaders including Bishop Mi ..read more