The latest Impact of Winter Pressures data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed the severe impact of the cost-of-living crisis on people’s lives in Great Britain.
The data shows that one in eleven (9%) adults had often or sometimes run out of food and could not afford to buy more in the past month.
Around a third (34%) of adults said increases in the cost of living had negatively affected their mental health.
Additionally, around a fifth of adults reported that they were occasionally, hardly ever, or never able to keep comfortably warm in the past two weeks.
Furthermore, around half of adults reported that in the past two weeks, they were buying less when food shopping (50% in the latest period, 49% in the previous period).
Commenting on the data, Helen Morrissey, head of retirement analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “This data lays bare the awful impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on our lives with people struggling to put enough food on the table or keep warm.
“The soaring costs of these most basic of items – food and fuel have put our budgets under immense pressure and as well as taking a toll on our physical health, it is having a clear impact on our mental wellbeing too.”
Morrissey also noted that while there are signs that inflationary pressures are starting to ease, it will take some time before there is any decrease in food and energy costs. This raises a real risk for pensioners on a low, fixed income who may go without food or heat. She added: “For those who are still barely clinging on financially, they continue to have a tough few months ahead.”
The ONS data highlights the urgent need for measures to address the cost-of-living crisis and provide support to vulnerable individuals and families struggling to make ends meet.
