One in seven skipping meals in UK due to rising cost of living, survey finds
‘It’s hugely worrying that households are forced to go hungry and sit in cold homes’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One in seven people have skipped meals due to the rising cost of living, according to a survey.
Almost one in 10 (9%) have prioritised meals for other family members above themselves and 4% have used a food bank, the Which? consumer insight tracker found.
Some seven in 10 (72%) have turned the heating on less due to rising prices, 39% are using less hot water, and 19% are having fewer cooked meals.
The survey also found that an estimated 2.3 million households had missed or defaulted on a vital payment such as a mortgage, rent, credit card or bill payment in the last month – in line with the number who missed payments in January.
Some 59% have made at least one financial adjustment such as cutting back on essentials, selling items or dipping into savings in the last month to cover essential spending, equating to an estimated 16.5 million households.
The figure is up from the 52% making financial adjustments this time last year but down on the peak of 65% in September.
It’s hugely worrying that households across the country are forced to go hungry and sit in cold homes as they cannot afford basic essentials this winter
Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “It’s hugely worrying that households across the country are forced to go hungry and sit in cold homes as they cannot afford basic essentials this winter.
“Which? is calling on the Government and essential businesses to do more to support their customers through this extraordinary cost-of-living crisis.
“With energy bills due to rise in April, the Government must urgently consider postponing its decision to increase the energy price guarantee to £3,000.
“For some families, who continue to be battered by high inflation, this will offer an important lifeline to stop them falling into financial distress.”
– Yonder surveys approximately 2,000 respondents online for the monthly Which? Consumer Insight Tracker.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.