An anti-poverty charity has warned that nearly half of Universal Credit recipients ran out of food within the last month, urging the government to take immediate action.The Trussell Trust has produced new evidence demonstrating the severe impacts of Universal Credit's inadequacy across the UK. The charity is encouraging the government to take fast action in the 2019 budget to provide immediate aid for individuals experiencing hunger ahead of another harsh winter. The poll, done by YouGov on behalf of the Trussell Trust, indicated that an estimated 1.6 million people (22%) claiming Universal Credit have been forced to visit a food bank in the previous year, and over half (48%) ran out of food in the last month.

Around 1.3 million people claiming Universal Credit are estimated to have been at risk of homelessness in the last 12 months, and the research reveals the lack of support available for people experiencing this level of hardship.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “This research lays bare the stark truth about the current crisis of hardship across the UK.

“The inadequacy of Universal Credit means that people are being pushed to the doors of food banks because they simply do not have enough money for food. These findings show clearly that people cannot wait for an economic turnaround to improve their current situations.

The Trussell Trust says that the new data further demonstrates the need for immediate support for people facing hardship and are urging the Government to prioritise the following urgent actions in the Autumn budget.