A recent report by Trussell, the UK's largest food bank network, reveals that over 9 million people in the UK are experiencing extreme levels of poverty and hunger, making them reliant on charity food handouts.

Trussell defines 'hunger and hardship' as affecting 9.3 million individuals, including 3 million children, who are likely to rely on food banks due to low household incomes and financial vulnerability.

Children are particularly vulnerable, with one in five UK children classified as facing hunger and hardship, including one in four children aged 0-4.

The report highlights that cuts to benefits have weakened the safety net, with food bank usage reaching a record 3.1 million in 2023-24, largely due to inadequate incomes and benefits.

Moreover, households living on incomes at least 25% below the poverty line have increased by 1 million over the past five years, indicating a growing crisis.

Almost 40% of people on universal credit, the main low-income benefit in the UK, are experiencing hunger and hardship, underscoring the inadequacy of current support systems.

Despite being employed, 5.4 million individuals in working families still face hunger and hardship, indicating that not all jobs provide a way out of poverty.

While removing the two-child limit could reduce child poverty, Trussell believes it would not adequately address the needs of all those facing food insecurity.

The UK's Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is expected to resist calls from poverty campaigners to abolish the two-child limit due to its high cost amidst competing public investment demands.

Trussell advocates for reforms to the benefits system, including protecting the incomes of 2.2 million individuals affected by reductions for historic debts.

A government spokesperson stated their commitment to tackling child poverty through new strategies and support for vulnerable households.

Iain Porter from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation stresses that the government must take immediate action to address widespread poverty.