Appendix 2

Food insecurity and food poverty – which is defined as being “without reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious, healthy food”⁷⁵ – is having a devastating impact on people across the UK.

And the problem is on the rise: in 2023/24, 86% of the charities that FareShare redistributed food to told us they had seen increase in demand for their services over the previous year.⁷⁶

As well as the obvious physical health impacts of not being able to meet the basic human need for food, research has linked food insecurity to poorer overall mental health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that people who experience food poverty are also more likely to experience isolation, depression, shame and anxiety.^77,78

Who is affected

In January 2024, a total of 11 million people – an estimated 8 million adults and 3 million children – experienced food insecurity.⁷⁹ That’s nearly one in six people.

Households with children are more likely to experience food insecurity, with one in five (20%) affected.

The poorest fifth of UK households would need to spend half (50%) of their post-tax income on food to afford a healthy diet (as defined by the Government’s Eatwell Guide). This compares to 11% for the richest households.⁸⁰

Specific groups are disproportionately likely to experience food insecurity:^81,82,83

• Disabled people
• People from Black and minority ethnic communities
• Households with five or more people
• Households with children, especially those with lone parents
• People in receipt of benefits or Carer’s Allowance
• Households whose members have lower levels of education
• People who rent their homes
• People experiencing homelessness
• People seeking asylum

The House of Commons research briefing Food Poverty: Households, food banks and free school meals has more background on the impact of food insecurity in the UK.