Guarantee Our Essentials: Vineyard Compassion take a stand for social security reform.

At Vineyard Compassion, we witness the daily struggles faced by individuals and families in our local community. We regularly hear heart-breaking stories of parents not eating so they can feed their children, people unable to afford hot water to bathe or electricity to cook the food they receive in a food parcel. For some, deodorant and toilet roll is a luxury rather than a basic necessity. This should not be the case in 2023.

That is why we are proud to give our support for the Essentials Guarantee campaign, spearheaded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust. As part of the Trussell Trust network we want to draw attention to this campaign that aims to address the pressing issue of inadequate social security, ensuring that no one in our society goes without essentials during times of hardship.

In recent years, the need for food banks has risen dramatically, and our own community has not been immune to this trend. Over the past 12 months, we have distributed an unprecedented 1177 food parcels, marking a 72% increase compared to five years ago. These figures reflect the harsh reality that many individuals and families face every day, as they struggle to put food on the table and afford basic necessities.

The Essentials Guarantee campaign proposes a significant reform to our social security system. Its fundamental principle is that Universal Credit should safeguard individuals from going without essentials. By establishing a minimum level of support, the Essentials Guarantee ensures that basic needs, such as food, hygiene products, and shelter, are met. Research indicates that, to make a substantial impact, the guarantee should be set at a minimum of £120 per week for a single adult and £200 for a couple. These amounts are essential for individuals and families to afford basic necessities and break free from the cycle of poverty.

At Vineyard Compassion, we are committed to improving the lives of those affected by poverty in our community. Through our support for the Essentials Guarantee campaign, we are taking a stand against inadequate social security and fighting for a future where no one goes without essentials across the UK and here across the North Coast.

Vineyard Compassion CEO, Ricky Wright says about the campaign,

“When you look at the simple graph (see below) you can plainly see how much it costs to buy the essentials in life for a single person and a couple. Currently, single people receive approximately £85 and a couple receives £134 per week. So it is easy to understand why people relying on benefits are having to do without these essentials. It’s a simple ask: we want to ensure that no one in our local community goes without essentials during times of hardship.”

We will be supporting this campaign over the months ahead and we’ll keep you posted on any updates. If you’d like to find out more about the Essential Guarantee campaign you can read more on the Trussell Trust website