No Credit for Failure on Foodbanks

Not before time, Conservative Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has admitted that the increased use of food banks is partly down to problems in rolling out universal credit.

Responding to Amber Rudd's comments about the link between the rise of food bank usage and the roll out of Universal Credit, Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"This belated admission of responsibility comes far too late for the tens of thousands of people forced to rely on food banks because of the Conservatives' stubborn refusal to fix Universal Credit.

"In 21st century Britain no one should be dependent on charitable handouts for their survival, yet that is precisely the situation that Government policy has created.

"While some tinkering around the edges has happened, the Conservative Government must go all the way and give UC claimants full flexibility over when and how they are paid, while completely reversing the swingeing cuts made to the programme in 2015."