Latest news with #Trussell
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
DWP disability cuts branded 'catastrophic' as Liz Kendall unveils major changes
Charities urged MPs to reject changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit, which the Government's own assessment said risked pushing people into poverty The Government has been accused of turning its back on sick and disabled people after pressing ahead with "catastrophic" benefit cuts. Charities urged MPs to reject changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC), which the Government's own assessment said risked pushing an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall argued she was taking "the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity" as she sought to soften the impact by introducing a 13-week transition period so existing claimants avoid a cliff edge. But campaigners said the last-minute changes to the plans would do little to mitigate the devastating impact. Around 3.2 million families could be hit by the overall reforms by 2030, with an average loss of £1,720 per year, according to the Government's analysis in March. The document said estimates did not include the impact of the £1 billion employment support package "which we expect to mitigate the poverty impact". Around 800,000 people are expected to be impacted by PIP changes, including 370,000 current claimants and 430,000 future recipients, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. READ MORE: 'Spend a day in our life, PM' says mum whose disabled daughter may lose PIP benefits The tightening of eligibility will mean those who can't wash half of their body or cook a meal unaided no longer qualify for the daily living element - unless they have another condition. The UC health element, which is claimed by more than two million people, will be frozen at £97 a week for existing claimants until 2029/30, and reduced to £50 a week for new claimants from 2026/27. Ms Kendall has previously said people under 22 will no longer be able to access the health top up of UC - and instead will be offered a 'youth guarantee' of training or work, with threats of benefit cuts if they reject the offer. The 13-week grace period will apply to existing claimants who lose the PIP daily living component, including those who lose eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of Universal Credit. More than 200,000 people with the most severe, lifelong conditions to be protected from future reassessment for UC. Food bank network Trussell said: "The reality of this Bill is still record cuts in support for disabled people, and the biggest cuts to social security since 2015." Mencap, the learning disability charity, accused the Government of having "confirmed the choice to turn its back on thousands of disabled people". Carers UK said at least 150,000 people will lose their Carer's Allowance, while nearly 100,000 carers who receive both PIP and Carer's Allowance will lose their disability benefit. Keir Starmer is braced for the biggest revolt of his premiership of the legislation, with dozens of Labour MPs poised to rebel when it faces its first Commons test in the coming weeks. Labour MP Steve Witherden, who represents Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, told the Mirror: "I find the proposals deeply concerning, particularly at a time when poverty levels across the UK are already alarmingly high. "Millions of children live in households where parents are struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, heating, or even sterilising baby bottles. "This Bill risks exacerbating these difficulties, with cuts that could push disabled households into even deeper hardship - especially in Wales, which currently has the highest poverty rates among disabled people in the UK. I will be voting against this Bill.' Ms Kendall said the system was broken - and would fail to deliver for those who need it most without reform. "Our social security system is at a crossroads," she said. "Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it. "This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity. "This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot - putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change." Ministers say the plans - designed to slash £5billion from the welfare bill by 2030 - are designed to drive down spiralling costs and help more people back into work. One in 10 people of working age now claiming a sickness or disability benefit and some one million young people are not in education, employment or training - around one in eight. The number of people claiming PIP is expected to double from 2 million to 4 million over this decade, sending the bill for working-age sickness and disability benefit to £70billion a year by the end of this Parliament. A record 3.74 million people in England and Wales were claiming PIP in April. Helen Barnard, Director of policy at Trussell, said: 'This bill will push nearly half a million more people into severe hardship and towards the doors of food banks." She added: 'The last minute details on protections offer something for a small proportion of people, but even they will still see a real-terms cut." Mencap's Jackie O'Sullivan said: 'Today the Government confirmed the choice to turn its back on thousands of disabled people and by pushing ahead with these welfare reforms, they are causing a huge amount of anxiety. 'Mencap's recent survey of people with a learning disability found an alarming 70% would need to cut down on food if they lose PIP, while over half (60%) said they would need to cut back on heating and nearly half (45%) were worried they would be unable to leave their home." Charlotte Gill, Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs at the MS Society, said: "The government claims this Bill is about protecting people, but in reality it will take thousands of pounds a year from disabled people, including many living with MS – pushing more into poverty and worsening people's health. 'PIP is a lifeline not a luxury. If these cuts go ahead, many will be forced to reduce spending on essentials like food and heating. And some have told us they would have to leave work." James Taylor, Director of Strategy at disability equality charity Scope said: 'This bill will be catastrophic for disabled benefits will plunge hundreds of thousands into poverty." Louise Murphy, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said the longer period of protection for those affected by Pip cuts would ease the blow but said extra funding for employment support wasn't coming into effect until 2029. She added: "While ministers have softened the stick of welfare cuts, they have not strengthened the carrot of greater employment support."
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Recipe box launches The Bear inspired range that will help charity
Recipe box Gousto has announced the launch of 'The Bare', a new limited-edition recipe range that pays homage to dishes from Chicago-based, fan-favourite TV show The Bear, set to return for its fourth series later this month. But behind the recipes lies a more urgent purpose: raising money for Trussell to support people who'd otherwise go without the bare essentials this summer. The initiative comes as Trussell's 'The Cost of Hardship & Hunger' report reveals that a record 1 in 7 people across the UK now face severe hardship, including 6.3 million adults and 3 million children. Over the summer, food banks in the Trussell community are expected to support a child with emergency food every 41 seconds. Orders from 'The Bare' range will help Trussell support families. 'The Bare' features three recipes inspired by the hit culinary TV show: Chicago-Style Beef Sandwich & Fries, Friends & Family Spaghetti with Mozzarella Garlic Bread, and even THAT viral Crisp-Topped Omelette with Fries & Salad. Gousto has transformed the cult favourites into simple, stress-free meals with easy-to-follow recipe cards and pre-measured ingredients. Timo Boldt, Founder and CEO of Gousto, said: "Ensuring more families have access to fresh, good food has always been part of our purpose to have a positive impact on people and the planet. With this screen-worthy recipe range, we're making it easy for food lovers to recreate cult-favourite dishes at home, while supporting the vital work of food banks in the Trussell community". Gousto has also partnered with Big Zuu to launch 'The Bare'. Big Zuu said: 'Getting behind 'The Bare' was a no-brainer for me. It's about more than just flavours; it's about making some noise for people going without the basics. I've always believed good food should be for everyone, and teaming up with Gousto and Trussell on this campaign means we're getting real support to families who need it. And if you're asking – THAT Crispy Omelette with Fries is my go-to. It's easy, full of flavour and the ultimate comfort food.'
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Recipe box launches The Bear inspired range that will help charity
Recipe box launches The Bear inspired range that will help charity You could recreate meals from the popular show Recipe box Gousto has announced the launch of 'The Bare', a new limited-edition recipe range that pays homage to dishes from Chicago-based, fan-favourite TV show The Bear, set to return for its fourth series later this month. But behind the recipes lies a more urgent purpose: raising money for Trussell to support people who'd otherwise go without the bare essentials this summer. The initiative comes as Trussell's 'The Cost of Hardship & Hunger' report reveals that a record 1 in 7 people across the UK now face severe hardship, including 6.3 million adults and 3 million children. Over the summer, food banks in the Trussell community are expected to support a child with emergency food every 41 seconds. Orders from 'The Bare' range will help Trussell support families. 'The Bare' features three recipes inspired by the hit culinary TV show: Chicago-Style Beef Sandwich & Fries, Friends & Family Spaghetti with Mozzarella Garlic Bread, and even THAT viral Crisp-Topped Omelette with Fries & Salad. Gousto has transformed the cult favourites into simple, stress-free meals with easy-to-follow recipe cards and pre-measured ingredients. Timo Boldt, Founder and CEO of Gousto, said: "Ensuring more families have access to fresh, good food has always been part of our purpose to have a positive impact on people and the planet. With this screen-worthy recipe range, we're making it easy for food lovers to recreate cult-favourite dishes at home, while supporting the vital work of food banks in the Trussell community". Article continues below Gousto has also partnered with Big Zuu to launch 'The Bare'. Big Zuu said: 'Getting behind 'The Bare' was a no-brainer for me. It's about more than just flavours; it's about making some noise for people going without the basics. I've always believed good food should be for everyone, and teaming up with Gousto and Trussell on this campaign means we're getting real support to families who need it. And if you're asking – THAT Crispy Omelette with Fries is my go-to. It's easy, full of flavour and the ultimate comfort food.' Gousto's "The Bare' recipes are available to order at from June 17 to July 15, 2025. Recipes start from £3.09.
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Disability cut impact could be even worse than expected warns food bank charity
Research commissioned by food bank charity Trussell found that 340,000 people in disabled households will be pushed into severe hardship by benefit changes being brought in by the Government Tens of thousands more people will be pushed into poverty by the Government's welfare cuts than previously feared, a major foodbank charity has warned. Trussell has claimed that 340,000 people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship by the end of the decade. Keir Starmer faces a rebellion from his own party over a string of measures, including cutting access to the personal independence payment (PIP) and sickness-related elements of Universal Credit. The Government's assessment found 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will fall into relative poverty in England, Scotland and Wales after housing costs are taken into account. But Trussell's analysis said the true picture is even worse, with 440,000 likely to need a food bank - although an increase in the basic rate of Universal Credit will move around 95,000 people out of severe hardship. Helen Barnard, director of policy at Trussell, said: 'This UK government was elected on a promise of change, and with a commitment to end the need for food banks. If the government goes ahead with these ill-considered and cruel cuts to social security, this promise will not be kept – and instead, they will risk leaving behind a legacy of rising poverty and hunger. "Tackling fiscal challenges should not be done at the expense of people already facing hunger and hardship. These cuts will force 440,000 people in disabled households into severe hardship and leave them at risk of needing a food bank. "We urge the government not to continue down this damaging path." The PM faces fierce opposition from Labour backbenchers, dozens of who say the proposals - expected to save £5billion a year - are "impossible to support". Charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has backed Trussell's calls for the Government to rethink the disability benefit cuts. It said: "This analysis shows they are likely to create more deep poverty and hardship than even the bleak forecast from the Government's own limited assessments." Trussell has also demanded the Government brings forward the planned increase to the basic rate of Universal Credit to April 2026, instead of waiting until April 2029. A Government spokesperson said: "This Government is determined to change people's lives for the better, helping them out of poverty and tackling the unacceptable rise in food bank dependence in recent years. "We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected."
The Independent
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Starmer's welfare cuts will see 340,000 more people in poverty than previously predicted, charity warns
The impacts of the government's welfare cuts are likely to push tens of thousands more people into poverty than previously predicted, a major foodbank charity has warned. Trussell said 340,000 more people in disabled households could face hunger and hardship by the end of the decade. It comes as more than 150 Labour MPs expressed concern over the plans last month, which include a tightening of the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and cutting the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). The proposals also include delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the government hopes they can save £5bn a year by the end of the decade. But it is understood that the plans sparked growing upset among both parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) and even government ministers, who were said to be considering quitting if the government failed to water down its proposals. A government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – across England, Scotland and Wales could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes. But Trussell said the impact is likely to be worse, with its report, based on analysis it commissioned by public policy experts WPI Economics, claiming that overall some 440,000 people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship and at risk of needing a food bank in 2029/30, if the reforms go ahead. A planned rise in the basic rate UC in 2029 should lift around 95,000 people out of severe hardship, Trussell said, leaving the total number affected closer to the 340,000 figure – once rounding of numbers and any movement of the poverty line in future years is accounted for. Trussell said its report's calculations are based on the Social Metrics Commission's definition of severe hardship as being when people are more than 25 per cent below the poverty line, saying this captures both people who are likely to need to turn to a food bank now and those at high risk of needing support from one in future. Helen Barnard, director of policy at Trussell, said the calculations they have come to present a worse picture than previously thought, 'because we have looked at how many people are going to be pulled, not just into overall poverty but into the severest form of hardship'. She added: 'That's important because the lower your income, the worse your hardship, the more damage it does. So the more likely you are to not be able to afford essentials like food, the worse the impact on your health, on your prospects. 'So the amount of damage that's being done is even worse than the Government's impact assessment suggested.' She said while Trussell supports the government's aim to reform employment support and help more people into work, 'these proposed cuts will utterly undermine this goal', adding: 'Slashing support will damage people's health and reduce their ability to engage in training and work.' The Joseph Rowntree Foundation backed Trussell's calls for the government to rethink the disability benefit cuts, saying: 'This analysis shows they are likely to create more deep poverty and hardship than even the bleak forecast from the Government's own limited assessments.' Trussell is also calling on the government to bring forward the planned increase to the basic rate of Universal Credit so it comes into full effect from April 2026, instead of waiting until April 2029. It comes after more than 100 MPs – understood to comprise primarily those who won their seats for the first time in 2024 – last month signed a letter to the chief whip warning that they are unable to support the proposals in their current form. It is understood that a separate letter signed by around 40 MPs was sent to Sir Keir just days earlier, warning against proceeding with the changes in their full form. A government spokesperson said: 'This government is determined to change people's lives for the better, helping them out of poverty and tackling the unacceptable rise in food bank dependence in recent years. 'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected.'
