The number of people in our community facing hunger and hardship because they cannot afford the essentials is deeply concerning. Food banks across Bristol are working tirelessly to provide emergency support, but this is not a sustainable solution. Everyone deserves the security of knowing they can meet their basic needs without having to rely on charity.
The root cause lies in a social security system that isn’t fit for purpose. Universal Credit often fails to cover the cost of essentials, leaving many in our community struggling. Nationally, around 70% of people needing food banks are on Universal Credit, with research showing that basic payments fall short by about a quarter of what’s needed for life’s essentials.
The open letter below calls on MPs to work with us to secure changes that will ensure our social security system protects people from going without the basics. You can send it too—details are at the bottom of the page.
Dear [MP NAME]
We are deeply concerned about the number of people in our community experiencing hunger and hardship because they cannot afford the essentials.
Many of our organisations help people by creating warm and welcoming spaces, providing advice, support and essential items, and by working together to foster a strong, supportive network for local people.
Our social security system should be there for us all when we need it most, but right now it’s not even providing enough to cover the cost of life’s essentials, creating hardship and hunger in our community.
Anti-poverty charity Trussell’s data shows that across the UK, around 70% of people needing to turn to a food bank in their community are receiving Universal Credit. This includes many of the people we support in Bristol & South Gloucestershire because Universal Credit doesn’t cover the cost of essentials and is pushing people to need our support. Research shows around a quarter of the cost of essentials isn’t covered by the basic payment.
We won’t stand by and let this continue. And we know what will make the biggest difference – updating our social security system.
We are calling on you as our MP, to work with us to help secure the changes which would help ensure our social security system protects our community from going without the essentials.
If you share our concern about the growing number of people in Bristol unable to afford the essentials, we urge you to take action today. By signing this open letter you are helping us to demonstrate a broad base of support in the community for an Essentials Guarantee as part of Universal Credit.
On the 18th of June, we will be travelling to London to present the open letter to the Bristol and South Gloucestershire MPs and ask them to support an Essentials Guarantee.
Many of you will either support or work with people facing food insecurity and issues with Universal Credit. If this is the case feel free to add an extra message for us to share with your MP.
Thank you.
Signatories:
Melissa Blackburn
Heloise
Ramona Andrews
Charlotte
Alice Peperell
jen
Christine Cole
Joanne Webb
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