- Introduce an essentials guarantee: This would entail increasing the standard allowance of Universal Credit to meet people’s essential needs. The rate should be increased to at least £120 a week for a single adult and £200 for a couple.
- Scrap the two-child benefit cap: Almost 1.8 million children are affected by the policy, which restricts parents with more than two children to claim benefits on their third and any subsequent children. Removing this cap is the most effective way to reduce child poverty. Scrapping the two-child limit would lift 300,000 children out of poverty and mean 800,000 children are in less deep poverty, at a cost of £1.8 billion.
Campaigning for an Essentials Guarantee
We are campaigning for increases to the basic rate of Universal Credit. We're supporting the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Trussell Trust to ensure people on Universal Credit can live with dignity.
Research has shown that despite temporary support from Government, 9 in 10 people on Universal Credit are going without the essentials, including food, gas and electricity and other essential household items.
Increasing the basic rate of Universal Credit will ensure people and families can meet their basic needs like food, energy bills and baby products.
The current rate of Universal Credit is based on a subjective assessment of people’s needs. Research shows there is a significant gap between what people get, and how much basic items cost.
From April, the basic rate of Universal Credit is only £91 a week for a single adult. 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 unable to pay essential bills.
Stories from the frontline: The real price of the cost of living crisis
Our publication offers a snapshot of the cost of living crisis and how it is affecting people’s financial, emotional and physical wellbeing. We gathered stories and insight from our frontline members, volunteers and Community Support Projects to show how this crisis is affecting people across the country.
It also offers stories of hope, showcasing how the SVP continues to provide lifesaving support and befriending to those most in need.
Universal Credit and Sanctions
Our policy briefing explains what sanctions are, how they work and the policy context. It outlines some of the key issues with the Universal Credit sanction regime, including how sanctions have been imposed unfairly and unequally and various ways they have negatively impacted individuals and households. The briefing also includes some recent statistics and policy developments.
View the From the Frontline Publication
SVP’s submission to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on poverty – Inquiry into the adequacy of social security
Our publication offers a snapshot of the cost of living crisis and how it is affecting people’s financial, emotional and physical wellbeing. We gathered stories and insight from our frontline members, volunteers and Community Support Projects to show how this crisis is affecting people across the country.
It also offers stories of hope, showcasing how the SVP continues to provide lifesaving support and befriending to those most in need.
Because of our local reach and presence across England and Wales, we have a unique insight on the issues faced by people and families across the country.
- In 2023 we made over 300,000 visits and calls to people who reached out for help.
- Applications to the SVP for financial support have risen to record levels with a 711% increase in the past 24 months;
- Last year we set up 35 warm spaces across the country in response to the rising cost of energy bills.