If you’re out of work or on a low income, Universal Credit is supposed to help you get by. But the fact is, it doesn't cover the real cost of life - so something always has to give.
Decide what you think would get cut first to avoid going into debt, and find out if it's enough.
Universal Credit is £98 per week for single adults - but it's not enough to cover the essentials.
Which of these would you cut first to try to avoid going into debt? Select one.
A food shop – just enough for a week Keeping the fan and fridge running through a heatwave or heating on when it’s freezing outside Enough water that you're not rationing showers, and you can clean your clothes A new shirt for an important job interview Enough mobile data to stay up to date with your online admin, never mind keeping in touch with the people in your life The bus fare to get to the job centre, the GP, and back again All the other essentials. This might include shampoo, toothpaste, washing liquid, and even insurance The figures in this quiz are based on Joseph Rowntree Foundation research into the cost of essentials. They're average weekly costs across a year and different household circumstances. The examples in each question are illustrations of the kinds of essentials these costs need to cover.Cut out a food shop and you’d save around £42 - just enough to keep you out of debt, but you’d need the help of a food bank to get by.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people to food banks.
We're calling on the UK Government to check the real cost of essentials, reviewed every year, and ensure Universal Credit always provides at least enough to afford essentials. Will you share this with 3 people, to pile on the pressure for change?
Cut electricity and gas, and you’d save around £24 - just enough to keep you out of debt, but cooking dinner and running the hot water will be a challenge.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people further to food banks.
We're calling on the UK Government to check the real cost of essentials, reviewed every year, and ensure Universal Credit always provides at least enough to afford essentials. Will you share this with 3 people, to pile on the pressure for change?
Cut water for the week and you’d save just £7 - barely enough savings to keep you out of debt, taking a toll on your wellbeing.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people to food banks.
We're calling on the UK Government to check the real cost of essentials, reviewed every year, and ensure Universal Credit always provides at least enough to afford essentials. Will you share this with 3 people, to pile on the pressure for change?
Cut back on essential clothes and shoes, and you’d save just £7 - not enough to keep you out of debt.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people to food banks.
We're calling on the UK Government to check the real cost of essentials, reviewed every year, and ensure Universal Credit always provides at least enough to afford essentials. Will you share this with 3 people, to pile on the pressure for change?
Cut back on mobile data, internet and postage, and you’d only save around £8 - not enough savings to keep you out of debt. Plus, you wouldn’t be able to get online to search for a job, access online banking or talk about your worries with the people who matter most.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people to food banks.
We're calling on the UK Government to check the real cost of essentials, reviewed every year, and ensure Universal Credit always provides at least enough to afford essentials. Will you share this with 3 people, to pile on the pressure for change?
Cut back on travel, and you’d save around £21 - it might be just enough to keep you out of debt, but you could end up missing a medical appointment, making health issues more urgent.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people to food banks.
If you agree this is unjust, add your name to call for an independent process that sets Universal Credit based on real costs. It only takes 30 seconds.
Cut back on all your other essentials and you’d save around £13 - not enough to keep you out of debt. - and you could end up having to skip necessities like doing laundry.
Making these choices feels impossible, doesn’t it? But for millions of us on Universal Credit, this is just a normal week.
That’s because the allowance has never been set against life’s actual costs. Not milk. Not energy bills. Not the bus fare. Instead of offering a way forward, it's pushing people to food banks.
We're calling on the UK Government to check the real cost of essentials, reviewed every year, and ensure Universal Credit always provides at least enough to afford essentials. Will you share this with 3 people, to pile on the pressure for change?
Before you go – did you know you could help support people facing hunger right now?
We believe no one should be forced to make impossible decisions. A shower or a load of washing. The bus fare or the food shop. On £98 a week, something always has to go - and too often, it's the food shop that shrinks.
A gift from you today will help Trussell support people across the UK - connecting a community of volunteers and food banks so that anyone who can't afford food isn't left to go without.
With a small gift, you can help ensure people in hardship get the help they need, so they don’t have to choose between the essentials. Please - if you can - donate today.
