Birkenhead

A trailblazing shop in Birkenhead helps reduce food waste by rescuing surplus stock. Its customers' stories are heartbreaking.

Universal Credit, the largest welfare reform in a generation was supposed to make receiving benefits and getting back into work easier but for many this has had the opposite effect. Delays in payments, sanctions and underpayments have seen a rise in people being forced to use food banks, falling into rent arrears and even homelessness. Drawing on the experiences of those in The Wirral, where there’s been a 32% increase in food bank use since the roll out of UC in November 2017, volunteer groups like Fans Supporting Foodbanks and local politicians in Liverpool, are bracing themselves for the full rollout of universal credit.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Birkenhead on Monday where they spent time speaking with crowds of people and touring local charities. While at a women’s charity, Meghan said it was important for women to be supported by each other and men. She recently announced her patronage of a number of organisations, including one which helps women gain employment.

The claim comes after Esther McVey, the work and pensions secretary, admitted last week families will be “worse off” under the new system.