NEARLY a quarter of a million parents on universal credit (UC) fear not being able to properly feed their children if cuts to the benefit goes ahead, according to a new report.

The Trussell Trust report called on the government to keep the weekly £20 rise, issued during the pandemic, which is due to end in April, warning that cutting it would have alarming consequences.

About 40 per cent of people claiming UC, representing more than 2.4 million people across Britain, fear they will be very likely to cut back on food for themselves if the planned cut goes ahead, the foodbank charity’s research found.

Worryingly, 13 per cent of parents surveyed — representing more than 220,000 families — think they would be very likely to cut back on food for their children, meaning they simply would not have enough money to cover the basics. 

Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said the £20 increase had been vital in protecting tens of thousands of people from being swept into serious financial hardship. 

“No-one should have to suffer the indignity of relying on emergency food,” she said.

“It’s clear that action is needed to ensure our benefits system provides people with enough money to cover the essentials. That’s why we’re insisting the government turns this situation around. 

“Keeping the £20 UC uplift, and extending it to legacy benefits, will provide an anchor from poverty for people who need it most.”

Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Britain is facing the worst recession of any major economy because of this government’s incompetence and indecision — yet they want struggling families to pay the price. 

“[Chancellor Rishi Sunak] must offer certainty to families now and secure our economy by cancelling this cut.”

Mr Reynolds said that even Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey knows it is irresponsible for the Chancellor to be winding down support.

Ms Coffey advised against replacing the uplift with a one-off payment at yesterday’s select committee meeting.

“A one-off payment rather than the extension of the uplift will mean that anyone who needs support after April — when unemployment is set to peak — will fall through the gaps,” Mr Reynolds said.