Anti-poverty campaigners demand urgent action at Westminster

Today, against a backdrop of unprecedented cuts to social security for disabled people and on the day of the first reading of the welfare reform bill, more than 700 representatives from communities across the UK stood shoulder-to-shoulder to create an historic lobby at Westminster as part of the Guarantee our Essentials campaign. 

This included people experiencing severe hardship; volunteers at local food banks; and representatives from community food organisations; as well as comedian, TV personality and Trussell supporter Nish Kumar, who joined calls for a stronger social security system that ensures everyone can afford the essentials.

People from across the four nations of the UK have come to meet their MP, speak out against the levels of severe hardship they are seeing in their local area, and ask policymakers to play their part in delivering urgent and meaningful change to our social security system. This includes calling for steps towards an Essentials Guarantee which would ensure Universal Credit is fit for purpose, helping to prevent people from having to use a food bank.

The event takes place on the same day the UK government publishes its draft welfare reform bill, and millions of the UK public nervously wait to hear how MPs will vote on £7 billion worth of cruel cuts to disabled people’s social security payments. Our research shows that these cuts will push 440,000 more people in disabled households into severe hardship. 

Jacob Forman, director at Epping Forest Foodbank, said: “On the same day the UK government formally introduced a new bill in Parliament proposing significant cuts to support for disabled people, I am proud to stand alongside food banks in the Trussell community to demand better. Better for everyone who has been forced to use a food bank, and better for everyone who may be forced to in the future. We know the UK public supports a future without food banks, and it’s one of the promises that this government was elected on. 

“We have not asked our MPs for the impossible. Instead, we have shared our vast experiences to highlight the actions that can genuinely change the life circumstances of the people we see every day for the better. As politicians sit on their benches, I hope our words resonate with them and encourage them push for a stronger social security system that ensures everyone can afford the essentials.”

Ask your MP to vote against the proposed cuts to disabled people’s support.