One in two benefits Scots going hungry

People on Universal Credit say they can't afford enough food and are forced to cut back on hot meals to livé

- SALLY HIND

HALF of Scots on Universal Credit were unable to afford enough food in the last month, poverty campaigners have revealed.

The Trussell Trust is calling on First Minister Humza Yousaf to boost support for those on the lowest incomes, saying almost 36,000 people were forced to turn to food banks in the last month.

The YouGov poll found half of those on the benefit ran out of food and could not afford more.

The charity said the data lays bare the "devastating consequences of the inadequacy of Universal Credit in Scotland" and called for "urgent action to increase incomes to ensure everyone can afford the basic essentials".