People fuming over Esther McVey's claims poor families "prioritise new phones over food" The controversial ex-Work and Pensions secretary seemed to forget those seeking Universal Credit need to use the media devices to access the internet.

They only really give you enough for food on UC (actually, not even that - after rent, I'm expected to live on £7 per day right now on the basic level of income), which means you never have enough to replace anything vital.

Right now I need new footwear for exercise (IE trainers) but just can't afford it, so sooner or later I'm likely to injure myself. Again. I already sprained my ankle recently (because of my old, falling-apart trainers) but my health conditions are such that I need to exercise regularly or I will suffer more.

Furthermore I also need a wifi dongle. My old one is fucked. If it dies entirely, I'll not be able to replace it any time soon because I don't want another dongle; they die within six months, it's not cost effective. So I'll need a wifi hub. These cost 20-30 quid. I can't afford 20-30 quid because I need it for food.

I actually recently moved because in my old place, if anything broke down, we had to buy a new that thing collectively. I just knew I couldn't afford to contribute. So I've moved into furnished accomodation instead so that if anything major breaks, I don't have to pay. But this means higher rent and less to live on week to week.

My entire life for the last five years or so - since the benefits freeze really started to bite - has been being constantly anxious about things breaking that I can't afford to replace without begging for money from friends or relatives.

That has obviously really, really helped my PTSD recovery.

/r/unitedkingdom Thread Parent Link - liverpoolecho.co.uk