Millions of UK Families Can't Afford Food, Heating or Clothes, New Report Finds

A new report found millions of low-income UK households struggled to afford essentials despite some relief from falling energy costs. (Credit: Ferdinand Herndler/Pixabay)

Millions of low-income households across the UK are going without essentials including food, heating and clothing, according to new research showing hardship has reached its highest level since monitoring began.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), a UK anti-poverty charity, said 7.4 million low-income households were unable to afford at least one basic necessity during the past six months, up from 7.1 million a year earlier and the highest figure recorded since its Cost of Living Tracker launched in 2021.