Pecan, a foodbank which operates in Southwark, has said it has seen a 179% increase in referrals among families with children and a 94% increase in overall referrals between 2016 and 2017, which they said is mainly due to welfare reform and Universal Credit.
The figures were published to coincide with a report by thinktank the Smith Institute analysing the impact Universal Credit has had in two London boroughs – Southwark and Croydon. It was jointly commissioned by Southwark Council, Croydon Council and Peabody.
Inside Housing recently did a survey of landlords and found they are handing out food parcels to tenants on Universal Credit and helping them pay gas and electricity bills.