About
Guarantee Our Essentials Campaign
Help us advocate for an Essentials Guarantee!
The Guarantee Our Essentials Campaign is calling for a new way of setting Universal Credit, which reflects the costs of things people need the most. This is a joint campaign from Trussell and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, aiming to create a protected minimum amount of Universal Credit, so that no one goes without the basic necessities.
This campaign wants to create an independent, evidence-led process to Universal Credit, guided by experts, similar to past movements seen in the UK. For example, the National Minimum Wage and Low Pay Commission of 1997 became one of the most successful anti-poverty reforms in recent UK history. We want to replicate this success, ensuring that everyone can afford life’s essentials and see a reduction in poverty across our nation.
Right now, Universal Credit isn’t covering the costs of life’s essentials, such as food, household bills such as water, electricity, and heating, and travel costs. Around 5 in 6 low-income households receiving Universal Credit are going without the things we all need. In York, in the last year, 8359 food parcels were given out from the foodbank to those experiencing hardship. Many of these people are also recipients of Universal Credit.
The basic rate of Universal Credit should cover these things, so that no one is pushed to need to use a foodbank. For a single adult, Universal Credit as of April is £98 a week, before any deductions have been made. We want to change this, so this value reflects what things actually cost. From analysis, this minimum amount needs to be increased to at least £120 a week.
Benefits for the Essentials Guarantee
Implementing the Essentials Guarantee would bring numerous benefits to individuals, families, and the wider community:
- Reduce Food Bank Usage: By ensuring that Universal Credit covers basic living costs, fewer people would need to rely on food banks for emergency support.
- Improve Public Health: With better financial stability, individuals would be able to afford nutritious food and maintain a healthier lifestyle, reducing the strain on healthcare services.
- Boost the Local Economy: When people have enough money to cover their essentials, they can participate more fully in the local economy, supporting businesses and creating a more vibrant community.
- Restore Dignity: Ensuring that everyone can afford life’s essentials would help restore dignity to struggling families, allowing them to live with the security and respect they deserve.
It’s also important to note that 72% of the public, across all political parties, support the Essentials Guarantee, reflecting a broad consensus on the need for this change.
How Can You Help?
Email Your MP
You can make a significant impact by contacting your local MP and urging them to support the Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit. Here’s how you can help:
- Copy the Draft Email: Below, you’ll find a draft email that you can copy and personalise.
- Visit www.writetothem.com: Use this website to find your local MP and send them the email.
- Share with Others: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to do the same by sharing this post on social media.
Your voice can help bring about the systemic change needed to ensure everyone can afford life’s essentials. Thank you for your support!
Dear [MP’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well.
As a supporter of the York Foodbank, I am writing to express my deep concern about the growing reliance on food banks in our community. Last year alone, food banks in the Trussell Trust network across the UK distributed over 2.6 million emergency food parcels, which is equivalent to 1 food parcel every 12 seconds.
While food banks provide essential emergency support, it is clear that systemic changes are needed to ensure everyone can afford life’s essentials. It is unacceptable that millions in one of the world’s wealthiest countries are forced to rely on food banks.
I am advocating for an Essentials Guarantee to ensure Universal Credit always covers basic necessities. This amount should be set independently based on real living costs. Implementing this guarantee would reduce food bank usage, improve public health, boost the local economy, and restore dignity to struggling families.
Imagine having to choose between heating your home or feeding your children. An Essentials Guarantee would prevent such impossible choices. It is worth noting that 72% of the public, across all political parties, support this initiative.
I urge you to advocate for the Essentials Guarantee in Parliament and help bring about the systemic change that is so desperately needed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
For more information about the campaign, please visit Trussell’s webpage, or look on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.