A host of celebrities including Stephen Fry, Ed Sheeran, and Liam Gallagher, have signed an open letter to politicians – to increase the basic rate of Universal Credit, to bring it in line with the cost of life’s essentials.
It comes as one in seven adults in the UK are struggling with a shortage of money, and facing hunger as a result – with anti-poverty charity, the Trussell Trust, having distributed almost three million emergency food parcels last year.
And over eight in 10 low-income households (83%), who receive Universal Credit, are going without at least one key necessity, such as a warm home, food, or toiletries – despite many of these claimants being in work.
As a result, the Trussell Trust has teamed up with another anti-poverty charity, the Joseph Rowntree, to pen the open letter, addressing the £35 weekly gap between the basic rate of Universal Credit, and the cost of common essentials.
It calls for political leaders to address the increasing number of people facing poverty in the UK – and has also been signed by the likes of Dame Emma Thompson, Jodie Whittaker, and Liam Payne.
The letter has been issued to leaders of all political parties, ahead of this year’s General Election, to call for an “Essentials Guarantee” to become legislation. This would ensure that the basic rate of Universal Credit at least covers life’s essentials, and can never be pulled below that level.
(Image: Chris Lacey Photography)
The letter comes after statistics showed that a food parcel is now being issued by the Trussell Trust every eight seconds, as hundreds of thousands of people are forced to turn to food banks. The network of food banks is asking the public to back the campaign, and sign the accompanying petition.
Trussell Trust chief executive, Emma Revie, said: “We live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and yet people here in the UK are going without the essentials we all need to get by.
“We know that the public is deeply concerned about poverty and hunger. Research shows people overwhelmingly believe food banks should not be needed in the UK, and the vast majority say the UK government has an essential role to play in keeping people out of poverty.
“In a General Election year, it’s vital that all political parties listen to the public, and show they understand that so many people are experiencing hunger in this country, and action needs to be taken.
“The wide range of people coming together to sign the open letter reflects the nationwide consensus on this issue, and we collectively urge political leaders to do the right thing, and include an Essentials Guarantee in their manifestos later this year.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
