Five-week wait is driving claimants into poverty says the Trussell Trust.

Changes to the benefit system including the roll out of Universal Credit are driving claimants into poverty as they wait five weeks for their first payment.

Research carried out by the Trussell Trust shows that in 2018 there was a 52% increase in food bank use in those areas where Universal Credit has been rolled out compared to 13% in those areas where it is yet to be introduced.

On their website the Trussell Trust describe the benefits system as an 'anchor' that prevents people being 'swept into poverty', going on to say that since the election of the coalition government in 2010 that is no longer the case.

Despite government promises that it would significantly reduce poverty Universal Credit has led to a rise in the number of people living below the poverty line, many of whom are in full time work.

The process of claiming Universal Credit has been problematic for many claimants, even when things go smoothly, they are obliged to wait five weeks for their first payment. Government attempts to alleviate the problems caused, by allowing claimants to apply for a 'loan' to see them through have proved inadequate.

On their website the Trussell Trust say, ' we're a country that prides itself on making g sure proper support is in place when help is needed, our benefits system was created to do exactly that, but universal credit is not the poverty fighting reform that was promised'.

North Staffs Green Party Campaigns Coordinator Adam Colclough said, ' as a volunteer for local charities I have seen numerous cases of people being driven into penury by Universal Credit'.

In their political program published in 2018 the Green Party pledged to replace the current unfair and complex benefits system with a Universal Basic Income and to tackle wage inequality.

Mr. Colclough said, ' as a party we are commuted to taking a stand on issues of social justice and for that reason we fully support the Trussell Trust in launching this campaign'.

The Trussell Trust have launched a campaign against the five-week wait under the hash tag #5WeeksTooLong and will be staging events throughout the coming year.