In Cambridgeshire, many working families on Universal Credit struggle to afford food and heating, highlighting the need for better support.
Research shows that Universal Credit just doesn’t cover the essentials. Campaigners from Trussell and the Joseph Roundtree Foundation say it’s not enough. Even people with jobs are having to make hard choices.
As of October, nearly 83,000 people in Cambridgeshire were on Universal Credit. Out of those, about 34,500 were working but still needed help to get by. That’s around one in 17 working-age adults.
In Peterborough, the situation is even tougher. One in ten adults there are both working and claiming Universal Credit. It’s a stark contrast to Cambridge, where the numbers are lower.
Campaigners argue that the social security system should ensure everyone can afford the basics. They believe there should be an “Essentials Guarantee” to make sure no family goes without.
Currently, the rates for Universal Credit are quite low. A single person under 25 gets about £72 a week. Couples get around £113. But this isn’t enough to cover basic living costs.
The charities say that inadequate support is driving the need for food banks. They reported giving out 1.5 million food parcels from April to September 2023. Many low-income households are going without essentials.
Iain Porter from JRF pointed out that many working people still struggle. The basic rate of Universal Credit is just £91 a week, which isn’t enough. The government needs to ensure everyone has enough support.
The Department for Work and Pensions plans to move everyone to Universal Credit by March 2026. They claim that most people will be better off, but many are skeptical.
Hardship charity Turn2us is also calling for change. They hear stories of people skipping meals and going without heating. They support the idea of an Essentials Guarantee to help those in need.
