Food charity reports surge in demand following universal credit launch in east Durham

A CHARITY has seen a spike in demand in the ten days following the introduction of universal credit and is predicting a 40 per cent rise in the number of food parcels it hands out by the end of the year.

East Durham Trust, which provides emergency food parcels, debt advice and benefit checks to the communities of the former district of Easington, has reported a surge since last week, when the benefit was introduced for new claimants in the area.

Last week, the charity fed more than 400 children during half-term “holiday hunger” events and helped 14 new claimants who went to the charity for help directly in response to universal credit, which combines a number of benefits into a single payment.

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