food bank
Next government must increase universal credit so people have enough money to survive
![food bank/ universal credit](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/5457_220812-WestLothian-1J7A5834_©Chris-Lacey-Photography.jpg?w=768)
Next government must increase universal credit so people have enough money to survive
Cass Francis of the Trussell Trust's Southend Foodbank writes about why it's so important that the next government implements an essentials guarantee into universal credit – so that benefit claimants have the money they need to survive
Benefits system is 'utterly failing' as food bank demand reaches record high: 'It's heartbreaking'
![donate to a food bank](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5462_220812-WestLothian-1Y4A9070_cChris-Lacey-Photography.jpg?w=768)
Benefits system is 'utterly failing' as food bank demand reaches record high: 'It's heartbreaking'
'We're at breaking point': Food banks see record number of first-time users as demand soars
![food bank](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6921_230203-RugeleyFoodbank-MET05625_©-Robin-Prime.jpg?w=768)
'We're at breaking point': Food banks see record number of first-time users as demand soars
It's truly heartbreaking how often food bank guests are punished because they can't find work
It's truly heartbreaking how often food bank guests are punished because they can't find work
Food bank appeals for donations with 'joyous' remake of The Twelve Days of Christmas
Food bank appeals for donations with 'joyous' remake of The Twelve Days of Christmas
King Charles III: 'My birthday wish for our people and planet'
![King Charles in Black and White](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1590_King_RAN12072_THE_BIG_ISSUE-2_089-F4_RGB-HERO.jpg?w=768)
King Charles III: 'My birthday wish for our people and planet'
Food banks are being forced to ration supplies. We can't sustain this level of poverty for much longer
![trussell trust food banks](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4370_Warehouse-Hero-030_DRTVAd2022.jpg?w=768)
Food banks are being forced to ration supplies. We can't sustain this level of poverty for much longer
Would you prosecute a child for stealing baby formula? Shoplifting's rise amid cost of living crisis
![shoplifting](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/pexels-clem-onojeghuo-375896.jpg?w=768)
Would you prosecute a child for stealing baby formula? Shoplifting's rise amid cost of living crisis
Huge energy bill hike leaves one of Britain’s biggest food banks facing closure by Christmas
![food bank](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WhatsApp-Image-2022-08-09-at-3.23.13-PM-e1660124428698.jpeg?w=768)
Huge energy bill hike leaves one of Britain’s biggest food banks facing closure by Christmas
Meet the South London heroes who turned a derelict phone box into a community centre
![Cost of Living heroes](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/UnderTheRainbowPhonebox_AP-135-scaled-e1649154705140.jpg?w=766)