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1 December, 2020 Open access

‘Press pause’ on making deductions from people’s benefit during pandemic, urges Trussell Trust

New report from charity highlights that almost three out of four food bank users in receipt of universal credit are repaying an advance

The Trussell Trust has called on the DWP to 'press pause' on making deductions from people's benefit during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a new report, Lift the Burden, the Trussell Trust reports on findings from a survey of food bank users carried out during June and July 2020 which reveal that 47 per cent of households arriving at its food banks during this time were repaying debts to the DWP - up from 37 per cent prior to the start of the pandemic - and that debts to the government are now more common for food bank users than debts to private lenders or family and friends.

In addition, other key findings include - 

As a result, arguing that people should not be forced to repay debts to the DWP when they are struggling to afford the cost of essentials, the Trussell Trust calls on the government to - 

Commenting on the report's findings, Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said today - 

'Our welfare system should increase people’s security, not suffering. But right now, the government is taking money from the benefit payments of many people using food banks. Taking money off payments to repay these debts makes it much harder for people to afford the essentials and can impact on people’s mental health – this isn’t okay.

With the pandemic continuing to hit people’s incomes, the government must pause taking money from benefit payments over the winter months until a more responsible and just system that offers security and support is in place. This would help people on the lowest incomes to keep every penny of their benefits to help afford the absolute essentials, instead of needing to turn to a food bank for help.

We need change this Christmas to create a system that works for everyone. That’s why we’re also calling on everyone to help end the need for food banks by joining our campaign to create a Hunger Free Future.'

For more information, see Almost half of people at food banks have money taken by government from benefit payments during economic crisis from trusselltrust.org