Fuller Slams Benefits System that Forces Mothers to Skip Meals to Feed their Kids

Lib Dem Councillor Gary Fuller has reacted with horror to a report in the Independent of a survey of mothers between the ages of 18 and 30 by the Young Women's Trust that has found that a quarter are skipping meals every day to provide for their children, while half skip meals at least once a week.

Of those receiving Universal Credit, 37% were skipping meals every day. The survey found that young mothers in work were also struggling, as they receive less government support under the age of 25, and are more likely to be in low-paid jobs that pay less than the national living wage.

Joe Levenson from the Trust said:

"Politicians should support young people seeking to be financially independent by changing the law to ensure under-25s are entitled to the same national living wage as everyone else and rethinking universal credit, which is clearly doing huge damage. This would benefit businesses and the economy too."

Lib Dem Sandgate and West Folkestone Councillor Gary Fuller said:

"In 2019, one mother having to skip a meal to feed their child is unacceptable. That a quarter of 18-30 year old mothers are doing it every day, and over half are doing so each week is a matter of national shame.

"We urgently need the benefits system reformed to stop treating the under 25's as second class citizens, and to make Universal Credit a support, not a threat. Foodbanks are doing excellent work, but no family should have to rely on them to feed themselves or their children. Locally, we need to look at all the options we have at out disposal to give a helping hand to those struggling in our benefits system and start by ensuring, at a minimum, that every family can afford to eat, every meal, every day.