Laura Sharman 09 May 2022

Charity warns of 'rapid rise' in food poverty

Charity warns of rapid rise in food poverty image
Image: SpeedKingz / Shutterstock.com

More than seven million people live in households that have been forced to skip meals because they couldn't afford or get access to food, new data has revealed.

The Food Foundation found there has been a 57% increase in the number of households cutting back on food or missing meals altogether in just three months.

The research also shows that during April, 2.4 million adults did not eat for a whole day because they couldn't afford or get access to food.

The charity is calling on the Government to urgently tackle food poverty by increasing benefits in line with inflation, expand Free School Meals, breakfast provision and Healthy Start, and include a Good Food Bill in the forthcoming National Food Strategy White Paper.

Anna Taylor, executive director of The Food Foundation, said: 'The extremely rapid rise in food insecurity since January points to a catastrophic situation for families. Food insecurity puts families under extreme mental stress and forces people to survive on the cheapest calories which lead to health problems.

'The situation is rapidly turning from an economic crisis to a health crisis.? Food banks cannot possibly be expected to solve this.? The Government needs to realise the boat is sinking for many families and it needs to be fixed. Bailing out with emergency food parcels is not going to work.'

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

HR Onboarding Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (Pay award pending)
You have an opportunity to be part of a busy Human Resources team which offers HR support across the Council. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Purchase to Pay Administrator (Fixed Term) - WMF2122e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£25,584 - £25,992
We are looking for an Administrator to join our Purchase to Pay and Accounts Receivables team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - WMF2123e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£41,511 - £42,708
We’re looking for passionate social workers to join our team in Kendal following a recent reshape of our services. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Environmental Health Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£38,626 - £41,511
We are looking to appoint a full time Environmental Health Officer within the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Department. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Trainee Graduate Accountant

Wyre Borough Council
£25,992 - £37,938
Are you looking to kickstart your career in Finance? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner