Half of people receiving Universal Credit in Scotland unable to afford food in last month, survey finds

Half of people receiving Universal Credit in Scotland have been unable to afford food in the last month, new research has found.

The research, conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Trussell Trust, revealed that 35,900 people (7%) claiming Universal Credit in Scotland have been forced to use a food bank in the last month, and half (51%) ran out of food in the last month and couldn’t afford more.

Also, in the last three months, 20% of people claiming Universal Credit in Scotland were unable to cook hot food as they couldn’t afford to use the oven or other utilities.

The survey found that 241,000 people claiming Universal Credit in Scotland (47%) 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%) are behind on one or more household bill.

Some 164,000 people claiming Universal Credit in Scotland (32%) have fallen into debt because they couldn’t keep up with essential bills.

Four in ten (40%) people being unable to keep their home warm this winter, and approximately 195,000 people (38%) skipping meals to keep up with other essential costs like utilities or rent in the last three months.

People who claim Universal Credit report struggling to make ends meet iStock

The charity 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.

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 for people on the lowest incomes.

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.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Universal Credit, which is wholly reserved to the UK Government, is failing the people it is designed to support and is driving more people into poverty.

“That’s why the Scottish Government is continuing to call on UK ministers to introduce an Essentials Guarantee, to ensure Universal Credit is sufficient for people to afford basic vital items such as food and heating.

“We are committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure through the 2024-25 Budget, which is £1.1bn more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security.

“This is money going directly to people who need it the most in the current cost of living crisis.

“Independence would allow us to create an integrated system of support that works for everyone.”