Universal Credit cut causes more families to visit Epping foodbank

More than 9,000 people in Epping have been impacted by the £20 Universal Credit uplift which ended on 6 October.

Figures suggest residents will now loose £1,000 a year as a result.

Epping Forest Foodbank which works alongside several agencies who refer people for food, has seen more residents reach out for help since the uplift.

Last year, the food bank delivered 865 parcels to 2,548 people in Epping, and they predict the number of people relying on food banks will continue to grow due to the cut.

Bags of donations collected by Epping Forest Foodbank that they will distribute to people in needed.

Data from the Department of Work and Pensions shows that in May 2021, there were 9,558 Universal Credit claimants in Epping – 3,544 (37 per cent) of whom were in employment.

That figure has nearly tripled since February 2020 – shortly before the Covid pandemic hit – when there were 3,239 people in the area claiming the benefit.

For the average person on Universal Credit, the cut represents a loss of 13 per cent of income, and for some families the figure is 21 per cent.

Hannah Henley, the manager of Epping Forest Foodbank said, “The Universal credit uplift cut has had a significant impact with lots of people reaching out for help quickly.

“Combined with the national insurance tax rise, this has had a devastating impact on people who are just about keeping their heads above water, forcing people to make even tougher decisions like whether to pay a bill or buy food for them or their family.”

1200 three-day emergency food supplies went to children in 2020.

A councillor has tabled a motion to urge Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) to ask three MP’s to actively seek the reinstatement of the £20.

Cllr Stephen Murray, an independent councillor for Loughton Roding aims to achieve cross-party support with his motion tabled for the next full council meeting on October 28.

Mr Murray said: “This decision to carry on with the £85 per month cut for families and individuals who are currently just about managing is in my opinion not only unacceptable but unnecessary.

“It also comes at exactly the wrong time with escalating household costs such as food, energy and heating facing hard pressed families- that’s why I have already tabled the motion.”

EFDC has been in talks with Essex County Council and The Department for Work and Pensions about how the household support fund will be spent.

The new funding was given to councils this month to distribute to vulnerable households over winter as they continue to recover from the pandemic.

Essex County Council will decide how is best to distribute the fund across the county, meetings with County Council and other partners about the funding are taking place this week.

Essex County Council have been contacted for a comment.

Epping Forest Foodbank has launched their Harvest campaign which hopes to gain food and item donations for families during the winter months- five schools have donated so far.

To donate visit their website here.