Help Us Advocate for the Essentials Guarantee

We urgently need your help to support the Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit. By advocating for this change, we can ensure that everyone can afford life’s essentials and reduce the reliance on food banks.

The reliance on food banks in our community has reached alarming levels. Last year alone, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed over 3.1 million emergency food parcels, marking a staggering 94% increase compared to five years ago. This growing demand highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure that everyone can afford life’s essentials without having to rely on emergency food support.

While food banks provide crucial emergency support, they are not a sustainable long-term solution. It is unacceptable that millions of people in one of the world’s wealthiest countries are forced to rely on food banks to meet their basic needs. To address this crisis effectively, we need systemic changes that ensure financial stability and dignity for all individuals and families.

What is the Essentials Guarantee?

The Essentials Guarantee is a proposed policy to ensure that Universal Credit always covers basic necessities. This guarantee would set the amount of Universal Credit independently, based on real living costs, to ensure that everyone can afford essentials like food, heating, and housing. By implementing the Essentials Guarantee, we can provide a safety net that prevents people from having to make impossible choices between basic needs.

The Benefits

Implementing the Essentials Guarantee would bring numerous benefits to individuals, families, and the wider community:

• Reduce Food Bank Usage: By ensuring that Universal Credit covers basic living costs, fewer people would need to rely on food banks for emergency support.
• Improve Public Health: With better financial stability, individuals would be able to afford nutritious food and maintain a healthier lifestyle, reducing the strain on healthcare services.
• Boost the Local Economy: When people have enough money to cover their essentials, they can participate more fully in the local economy, supporting businesses and creating a more vibrant community.
• Restore Dignity: Ensuring that everyone can afford life’s essentials would help restore dignity to struggling families, allowing them to live with the security and respect they deserve.

It’s also important to note that 72% of the public, across all political parties, support the Essentials Guarantee, reflecting a broad consensus on the need for this change.

How You Can Help

You can make a significant impact by contacting your local MP and urging them to support the Essentials Guarantee for Universal Credit. Here’s how you can help:

1. Copy the Draft Email: Below, you’ll find a draft email that you can copy and personalise.
2. Visit www.writetothem.com: Use this website to find your local MP and send them the email.
3. Share with Others: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to do the same by sharing this post on social media.

Your voice can help bring about the systemic change needed to ensure everyone can afford life’s essentials. Thank you for your support!

Dear [MP’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well.

As a supporter of the North Bristol & South Glos Foodbank, I am writing to express my deep concern about the growing reliance on food banks in our community. Last year alone, food banks in the Trussell Trust network distributed over 3.1 million emergency food parcels, marking a staggering 94% increase compared to five years ago.

While food banks provide essential emergency support, it is clear that systemic changes are needed to ensure everyone can afford life’s essentials. It is unacceptable that millions in one of the world’s wealthiest countries are forced to rely on food banks.

I am advocating for an Essentials Guarantee to ensure Universal Credit always covers basic necessities. This amount should be set independently based on real living costs. Implementing this guarantee would reduce food bank usage, improve public health, boost the local economy, and restore dignity to struggling families.

Imagine having to choose between heating your home or feeding your children. An Essentials Guarantee would prevent such impossible choices. It is worth noting that 72% of the public, across all political parties, support this initiative.

I urge you to advocate for the Essentials Guarantee in Parliament and help bring about the systemic change that is so desperately needed.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

The Essentials Guarantee is a crucial step towards ensuring that everyone in our community can afford life’s essentials without having to rely on food banks. By taking action and contacting your local MP, you can help bring about the systemic change that is so desperately needed. Thank you for your commitment to this cause and for helping to create a more just and dignified society for all.

Take action now: visit www.writetothem.com to send an email to your MP.

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