'You have to take it back to the bricks’: Reforming emergency support to reduce demand for food banks

Emergency support plays a small but vital role in the social security system. It is there to help families through one-off shocks that cause a sudden drop in income or increase in costs, such as the onset of a health problem or the washing machine breaking down. But, in practice, many families are not getting the support they need when they need it, and this is contributing to the rising demand for food banks.

This report is the culmination of two years of research and analysis by CPAG funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust. It outlines the role emergency support should play, and what needs to change to make this a reality. It includes short- and long-term recommendations for England, Scotland and Wales.