October 2021

Families First News

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The income squeeze and the rise in food poverty

 

Citizens Advice EH have published their latest research findings on food poverty. A household can be said to experience food insecurity or food poverty when unable to access ‘an adequate quality or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways’. Food poverty in the UK was prominent before Covid began, with 700,000 households using a food bank in 2019/20 (Trussell Trust) but the pandemic has caused these numbers to increase dramatically.

In the first 6 months of the pandemic, the Food Foundation reported that 4.7 million adults and 2.3 million children lived in a household which could not access a sufficient quantity of food. With around 8.4 million people in the UK facing food poverty, the rate is one of the worst in Europe. While support is available, for example from food banks and free school meals, food poverty remains an extremely prominent issue which reduces quality of life and increases risk of illness and health issues.

This winter will see a major income squeeze which will be focused on low-to-middle income households. High inflation, especially higher energy bills, will strain many families’ finances. We can expect to see an increase in demand for support from charities such as Citizens Advice and foodbanks. It is more important than ever that people know where to turn for help.

To find out more about our research in this area and how we and other frontline services are supporting, please join us for a webinar on 12th October at 12.30-1.30pm. You can sign up via the link below.

Webinar - 12th October, 12.30-1.30pm

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