A growing number of renters in the UK are relying on food banks as the shortfall between housing benefit and actual rent payments widens significantly, leaving families forced to choose between essentials like food and heating. Single mothers like one in Wirral face a monthly gap of up to £158 in some areas, rising to as much as £324 in London, pushing them to prioritize rent over basic needs. With housing costs outpacing support payments, many are left struggling to cover even the most fundamental expenses after securing a roof over their heads. The situation highlights a deepening crisis for low-income households navigating the rising cost of living.
Wirral mother among renters turning to food banks as gap between a two-bed and housing benefit hits £158 a month – rising to as much as £324 in LondonDo you prioritise paying the rent, putting food on the table or keeping the house warm in winter? In practice, says Laura Braddock, a single mum from Wirral, Merseyside, you always pay the rent first and improvise the rest. “If I’ve got a roof over our head, then everything else I can muddle through.”The pressing problem for Braddock, 39, is that muddling through is getting harder. The monthly rent for her two-bedroom flat far outstrips the local housing allowance (LHA) she receives – and the gap may widen. Continue reading...
