Work and pensions boss admits benefits scheme linked to food bank use

People placed on the government's flagship benefits scheme have been driven to food banks because of it, the work and pensions secretary has suggested for the first time.Amber Rudd said it was "absolutely clear" there were "challenges" with the rollout of Universal Credit.The Trussell Trust, a UK poverty charity and the UK's biggest network operator of food banks, found last year that referrals to its centres were 52% higher in areas where Universal Credit had been rolled out.