Last year increased generosity from the public to food banks kept pace with the increased need for emergency food for people locked into poverty through benefit delays. Universal Credit is not the only payment with which people experience problems but key issues forcing people to food banks is the five week wait for a first Universal Credit payment. The charity said, ‘It is now time for our new Chancellor to do his part in the forthcoming Budget and match these acts of compassion by doing the right thing and putting money back into the pockets of people who most need support. It is in our power as a country to end the need for food banks. To reach that future, we need to make sure everyone has enough money for the essentials. The government’s first priority must be ensuring that our benefits system anchors us all from the rising tide of poverty by ending the five week wait for Universal Credit.’