Proof of the grave financial difficulty into which millions of households have been plunged by the high cost of living continues to mount. In a newly released survey, almost half of teachers in deprived parts of England reported that their schools regularly provide food to pupils and their families. Recent increases in rough sleeping in cities including London, and the huge number of people who rely on food banks – the Trussell Trust gave out more food parcels in 2022 than ever before – are further examples of extreme economic distress.
Evidence of public concern about such widespread hardship is also accumulating. New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Stop the Squeeze (a coalition of pressure groups) shows that voters believe both Conservative and Labour politicians are out of touch with the severity of the situation – although Labour was regarded by Stop the Squeeze’s sample as better placed to tackle it.
