New data reveals many working families in Greater Manchester rely on Universal Credit to survive

Greater Manchester: A lot of working families are struggling to get by. New data shows they’re relying on Universal Credit (UC) to make ends meet.
In places like Rochdale and Oldham, about one in 11 adults, or 9%, are in jobs but still need that extra support. It’s a tough situation.
Campaigners are sounding the alarm, saying UC just doesn’t cover the basics. Families are having to skip meals, go without heating, and miss out on essentials.
Research from Trussell and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows the standard UC rate isn’t enough to cover food, bills, and other necessary costs.
Even those working can find themselves in a bind, especially when life throws curveballs like illness or job loss.
As of October, over 7.1 million people are on UC, which replaces several other benefits. About 2.7 million of those are also working but still need help.
That’s around 6% of the working-age population in the UK. In Greater Manchester, the numbers are even higher, with 143,341 people both working and claiming UC.
In Bolton, Salford, and Tameside, about 8% of working-age folks are in this situation. Stockport and Trafford are the only areas below the national average.
Interestingly, Boston in Lincolnshire has the highest rate in the country, with 11% of working-age adults needing UC despite having jobs.
Campaigners argue that the social security system should ensure everyone can afford the basics, even in tough times.
Trussell and JRF say a single person needs about £120 a week for essentials, while couples need around £200. They want an “Essentials Guarantee” to make sure no family goes without.
But the current UC rates are at a low point compared to average earnings. A single person under 25 gets just £311.68 a month, which is about £72 a week.
For those over 25, it’s £393.45 a month, or £91 a week. That’s still not enough, leaving many short on what they need.
The charities say this lack of support is driving the need for food banks, with 1.5 million parcels handed out from Trussell food banks between April and September 2023.
They estimate that around five in six low-income households on UC are currently going without essentials.
Iain Porter from JRF pointed out that many people on UC are working but still can’t afford basics like food and heating. The current rate of £91 a week is just not enough.
He believes the government should ensure everyone has a minimum amount of support to cover essentials. This would help prevent people from falling below that level.
The call for change comes as the Department for Work and Pensions plans to move everyone on older benefits to UC by March 2026. They claim that 55% will be better off, while 35% will be worse off.
Hardship charity Turn2us is also backing the Essentials Guarantee. Their Head of Policy, Shelley Hopkinson, said UC is meant to help those in low-paid work, but it often falls short.
She hears from people skipping meals and struggling to stay afloat, even while working. That’s why they support the Essentials Guarantee, to ensure everyone can afford life’s basics.