A Bradford foodbank has warned Universal Credit is not going far enough after facing one of its busiest months yet. 

Bradford Central Foodbank said families are struggling to survive on the basic rate of Universal Credit, which leaves a single adult with £85 a week once rent is paid on average.

Volunteers helped more than 1,500 cash-strapped families in March alone - reflecting a 30 per cent increase on the same month in 2022. 

It has left foodbanks feeling “stretched” in the endless battle to answer hundreds of calls for help.

Meanwhile people are finding it “impossible” to manage as the cost of living crisis grips the UK. 

“We’re really busy,” Josie Barlow, manager of Bradford Central Foodbank, said. 

“We’ve only got a certain capacity with volunteers and space where people can sit down. We’re over our capacity. Just feeling stretched, I guess. 

“People are just really struggling to make ends meet and having to try and survive and make really difficult decisions. They can’t afford the basics. 

“We had this lady in who was older, still on universal credit, but she’s on £390 for two of them for a month. That’s everything apart from rent. That’s just impossible to live on. There’s no wriggle room. They can’t afford basics, heating, putting the kettle on, or travelling. Buses are like £5. 

“It’s just desperately needed. Without that people would get hungry and are going hungry. Without foodbanks kids would be going hungry. We want to have a country where people don’t have to rely on food banks.

“People have been like, ‘this is my first time here, I don’t know what to do’. It’s hard for people to come in and admit they need help’."

It comes as research by the Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation claims people need £120 a week to afford the essentials of life. 

Bradford Central Foodbank has joined a campaign to get the Government to increase the basic rate of Universal Credit, claiming: “It’s no longer possible for people to survive on it”.

“It does work when you give people more money, when the Government gave people the Covid payments back in July we were less busy,” Josie said. 

“Foodbanks aren’t needed or not necessarily as much.”

The Trussell Trust’s plea reads: “The basic rate of Universal Credit should at least cover the cost of essentials like food, household bills and travel costs, but it is not currently set according to any objective assessment of what people need. 

“That means there’s a significant shortfall between people’s living costs and their income, which is forcing many to skip meals, switch off essential appliances such as fridges, and turn off their heating.”

In response, the Government said it “recognises the pressures of the rising cost of living”. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

A spokesperson said: “The Government recognises the pressures of the rising cost of living which is why we have uprated benefits by 10.1 per cent as well as making an unprecedented increase to the National Living Wage this month. 

“This is on top of changes already made to Universal Credit which mean claimants can keep more of their hard-earned money – a boost worth £1,000 a year on average, and we are offering even more tailored support to help working people on income-related benefits to boost their earnings.

“We are also providing record levels of direct financial support for the most vulnerable - £1,200 last year and a further £1,350 in 2023/24 – while the Household Support Fund is helping people with essential costs.”

People can reach out for Bradford Central Foodbank’s help by visiting the Trussell Trust website and contacting the helpline. 

In a message to anyone who needs extra support, Josie said: “If you’re not in that support network and reading it saying, ‘I’m beginning to struggle’, you might not be on benefits, the help is there.”

Anyone who wishes to donate to the foodbank can use the collection boxes on Tesco Valley Road, Asda Cemetery Road, Asda Rooley Lane, Lidl Barkerend Road or Lidl Manchester Road.