What nobody told you about the UK

Published two days ago.

Poverty is deeply rooted in the UK, with more than a decade of cuts meaning millions of families across the country are struggling through financial hardship. Many more are being pushed below the breadline as the cost of living crisis hits low-income households the hardest.

Around 14.4 million people were living in poverty in the UK in 2021/2022, according to the government’s official statistics. That is around one in five people. A total of 4.2 million children were affected.

These harrowing figures were captured before the cost of living crisis took its toll on the country. The situation now is likely far worse.

Research from the JRF has found 3.8 million people experienced the most extreme form of poverty – destitution – in 2022. That is a 61% increase since 2019. More than 1 million of those affected were children.

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Many people are struggling to afford the basics to live and rely on charities and food banks to survive. Here we explain the facts and figures, and what the experts say needs to be done to tackle UK poverty for good.

Source: reality