Get emergency foodHelen Barnard, Director of Policy and Research at Trussell, said:
"We are disappointed that the government has not acted today on one of the biggest pressures facing low-income renters. We welcome seeing the significant support provided for people’s energy bills, which will make a real difference as the colder months draw in. However, the decision to keep housing support for private renters on low incomes frozen is a misstep that will continue to drive people towards homelessness and to the doors of food banks.
"We know from our research that over half of private renters on low incomes in receipt of Local Housing Allowance to help pay their rent, have run out of food in the last 12 months and haven't been able to afford more. Nobody should be forced to choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table. But for increasing numbers of UK renters this is already a bleak reality.
"If the chancellor is serious about tackling the cost of living, the best test will be whether fewer people need to turn to a food bank because they can afford the essentials like rent, energy bills and toiletries. The government has already taken bold steps towards this, including by lifting the two-child limit. However, unless we see action to close the gap between support and essentials like rent, the UK government will fail to meet its manifesto promise to end the need for emergency food."