Parents are continuing to skip meals so their children can eat, with new research showing family hardship persists across the UK.
‘Few issues deserve greater urgency than hungry children,’ said Jack Shepherd, senior researcher at Social Market Foundation. The think tank have recently published new research showing the extremity of the crisis and are calling on the government to provide better support.
The survey, comprised of 2,500 parents, found 44% were finding it harder to afford food than they were five years ago. Among those who said they had not had enough food over the past year, 83% said they had eaten less than usual, 77% had skipped meals and 59% had gone a whole day without eating because they could not afford to.
The highest levels of child food insecurity were reported in London, where 27% of parents said their children had been affected. Meanwhile, the figure stood at 22% in both the North West and Wales.
Families living in rented accommodation were more likely to report problems accessing food than homeowners – 31% of local authority tenants said their children had experienced food insecurity, compared with 17% of parents with a mortgage.
‘While the government has taken important steps to address the challenge in recent years, including expanding free school meals and publishing its landmark Child Poverty Strategy, our findings show that family food insecurity is so widespread that further action is likely needed,’ Shepherd continued.
‘The most effective way to reduce child food insecurity is increasing the amount of money families have in their pockets. This means ensuring households can afford the basics through strong social security and adequate incomes, as well as through new policies that help keep food accessible.’
News of the research comes after Rachel Reeves announced over 100 food products will see targeted cuts to import charges on food from overseas. Some of these include biscuits, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.
Similarly, the government revealed ticket prices for attractions including theme parks, zoos and museums will be cheaper during the summer holidays to help struggling families. The reduction will be in place from the end of June until 1 September.
The chancellor announced these reforms at the end of last month and while speaking to the BBC, Reeves said: ‘I absolutely get it that people’s number one concern is the cost of living and everything that’s happening in the Middle East is bringing that even more front of mind’.
Eleanor Garnier, senior policy adviser at Deliveroo, added: ‘Through our partnership with Trussell and the generosity of customers using our in-app round up feature, we have donated the equivalent of more than seven million meals to people facing hardship.
‘In addition, our ‘Felix Bakes with Deliveroo’ Community Kitchen helps The Felix Project transform surplus food into healthier baked goods for people experiencing food insecurity.’
‘But there is still much more to be done,’ she remarked. ‘We strongly support the SMF’s call to prioritise tackling family food insecurity in the UK.’
Image: Renaud Confavreux/UnSplash
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