The Wiltshire charity wants election candidates to back Universal Credit changes

Trussell Trust says benefits should have ‘essential safeguard’

A Wiltshire charity is calling on all parliamentary candidates to pledge their support for changes to Universal Credit.

The Trussell Trust, which runs food banks in the UK and has its roots in Salisbury, wants the benefits to come with an “essential guarantee”.

This would ensure that payments to people would be sufficient to cover the basics such as food and energy bills.

The charity says they are seeing more people turning to them for help because Universal Credit is insufficient.

In the past year, the Trussell Trust has distributed 3 million emergency food parcels to households – a record number for a 12-month period.

They are asking election candidates of all parties to support system changes if elected on July 4.

In an open letter to supporters, the charity said:

“Our social security system should support any of us when we need help and protect us from running out.

“We need urgent action from the next UK government to protect people from going without the essentials.

“We only have five weeks to make sure every candidate knows this is a priority.”

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