Hunger and the welfare state: Food insecurity among benefit claimants during COVID-19

This report looks in detail at food insecurity among benefit claimants using YouGov surveys of the general public (n=2,600) and of claimants (n=6,300) in May/June 2021. We come to seven conclusions about benefits and food insecurity:1. It is not possible to talk about food insecurity in the UK without talking about benefits. 2. The just-announced Household Support Fund will not compensate for the end of the £20/week UC uplift. 3. While keeping the £20/week UC would help, a significant fall in food insecurity would require a broader increase in the level of benefits. 4. To reduce food insecurity, the under-occupancy penalty and the benefits cap should be abolished. 5. To reduce food insecurity, less money should be deducted from people’s benefits, and the five-week assessment period for payment in UC should be abolished. 6. To reduce food insecurity, the DWP needs to better help people deal with their wider debts. 7. To reduce food insecurity, policymakers need to make sure that disabled people receive adequate benefits.