Liz McInnes backs ‘5 Weeks Too Long’ campaign

Supporting the Trussell Trust’s ‘5 Weeks Too Long’ campaign and change Universal Credit

Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood and Middleton, has given her support to the Trussell Trust’s ‘5 Weeks Too Long’ campaign which is aiming to highlight the difficulties faced by many Universal Credit claimants when faced with at least a five week wait for payment.

This week, for the first time, the Government has admitted that problems with the introduction of Universal Credit system has driven people to food banks.

The Trussell Trust is a charity that supports a nationwide network of food banks and helps to provide emergency food and support to people in poverty, as well as campaigning for change to end the need for food banks altogether.

Liz McInnes MP said: “The Government’s admission of what many have known for some time is too little too late. We need real action to fix the broken Universal Credit system and help those people – many of whom are in work – who are being driven to food banks through no fault of their own.

I am supporting the Trussell Trust’s ‘5 Weeks Too Long’ campaign because Universal Credit should be helping people out of poverty, not causing hardship and driving people to foodbanks.”

The Trussell Trust campaign website states: “The new benefits system isn’t the poverty-fighting reform that was promised. In 2018, our research showed a 52% average increase in food bank use in areas that have had Universal Credit for at least 12 months compared to 13% in areas that have not. We know Universal Credit is not the only issue driving an increase in food bank use, but it’s a significant factor in many areas.

“Fundamental questions are being asked about how and if Universal Credit can be fixed. As the debate rumbles on, more people are moving onto Universal Credit and being forced to food banks as a result – that’s why we need to see urgent changes right now.”

Join the Trussell Trust's ‘5 Weeks Too Long’ campaign at:

• action.trusselltrust.org/5weekstoolong