Calls for ‘urgent action’ as millions of UK households forced to skip meals amid cost of living crisis
Three million UK households are skipping meals due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, according to a new survey by Which?, which also reveals widespread changes in consumer behavior and declining economic confidence. The report highlights growing concerns over food and fuel prices, with millions cutting back on essentials, social visits, and leisure travel. Which? is calling for urgent government action to address unfair pricing and improve access to basic needs.
- ▪Three million UK households are skipping meals to manage their weekly budgets, according to a Which? survey conducted in April 2026.
- ▪Consumer confidence has dropped to minus 62, the lowest level since 2022, with 71% of adults expecting the economy to worsen in the next year.
- ▪Eighty-five percent of adults are worried about rising food prices, leading 67% of households to change their shopping or eating habits in the past month.
- ▪Fifteen million UK households made adjustments to cover essential spending between March and April 10, including cutting back on essentials, using savings, or borrowing money.
- ▪Sixty-nine percent of people have changed their driving habits due to rising fuel costs, with 33% making fewer leisure trips and 13% visiting friends and family less often.
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NewsUKHome NewsCalls for ‘urgent action’ as millions of UK households forced to skip meals amid cost of living crisisWhich? is calling for urgent policy interventions outlined in a manifesto launched in Parliament this week to tackle unfair rip-offs and improve access to essentialsJosie Clarke Thursday 30 April 2026 00:01 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2967381","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cost-of-living-uk-economy-households-b2967381.html","title":"Millions of UK households forced to skip meals amid…
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