Calls for ‘urgent action’ as millions of UK households forced to skip meals amid cost of living crisis
Three million households across the UK are being forced to skip meals and reduce family visits as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, according to a new survey.
Consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level since the height of the crisis in 2022, with Which?’s latest Consumer Insight Tracker recording minus 62 points this month.
The survey provides a clear picture of the country’s economic outlook; It reveals that 71% of UK adults predict the economy will worsen over the next 12 months, while only 9% believe it will improve.
Concerns about rising food prices are particularly acute; 85% of adults are now worried; In February, this rate was 83%.
This widespread concern is leading to significant changes in lifestyle, as two-thirds (67%) of households have changed their shopping or eating habits to reduce food spending in the past month.
Common adjustments include opting for cheaper products (43%), buying own-brand products at the supermarket (37%) and stocking up on promotions (31%).
Worryingly, 15% of households are now missing out on certain foods, and one in ten people (that’s three million families) are skipping meals entirely to manage their weekly budgets.
Fuel prices are another major concern for 83% of people, up from 71% in February. This has led to 69% of them changing their driving habits, directly impacting their social and family lives.
The most common adjustments included taking fewer leisure trips in the past month (33%) and planning trips more carefully (23%).
Nearly one in eight said they were visiting friends and family less often (13%).
In the month to 10 April, more than half (53%) of UK households, an estimated 15 million households, made arrangements to cover essential expenses; for example, cutting back on basic needs (29%), using savings (25%), selling belongings (9%) or borrowing money from friends or family (9%).
Around 7.7% of UK households miss a household bill, loan or credit card payment.
Which? It calls for urgent policy interventions, outlined in a manifesto launched in Parliament this week, to tackle unfair rip-offs and improve access to basic needs, including reform of the Healthy Start food programme.
Which? It has warned that the value of food is not keeping pace with inflation and is calling on the Government to increase payments, extend Universal Credit eligibility to all families and encourage supermarket support to ensure those struggling most can get a healthy diet.
Rocio Concha, Which One? Director of Policy and Advocacy said: “Our latest research highlights the deepening pressure not only on household finances but also on people’s physical and social wellbeing due to cost of living pressures.
“Many people are already making difficult choices, such as skipping meals. Without meaningful interventions, the number of people taking drastic measures will likely increase.
“We need urgent action, as set out in the Cost of Living Manifesto, to cover these costs and help rebuild confidence before more households fall into serious financial hardship.”
