Rising costs forcing 3m UK households to skip meals, Which? report finds
A Which? report reveals that 3 million UK households are skipping meals due to rising living costs, with consumer confidence at its lowest since 2022. The surge in food and fuel prices, driven partly by global conflicts, has led to widespread changes in spending and eating habits. The organization is calling for urgent policy intervention to address the growing financial strain on households.
- ▪Three million UK households are skipping meals as a result of rising living costs, according to a Which? consumer insight tracker report.
- ▪Consumer confidence has dropped to -62, the lowest level since the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022.
- ▪85% of adults are worried about food prices, and 80% are concerned about rising fuel costs, prompting changes in shopping and driving habits.
- ▪The average rate of missed bill payments has increased to 7.5% over the past three months, up from 5.7% at the end of 2025.
- ▪Which? has published a cost of living manifesto calling for urgent policy changes to ease financial pressures on households.
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The report shows consumer confidence is at its lowest since the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPAView image in fullscreenThe report shows consumer confidence is at its lowest since the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPAUK cost of living crisisRising costs forcing 3m UK households to skip meals, Which? report findsConsumer insight tracker shows 85% are worried about food prices and a majority think the economy will deteriorateClaudia EfeminiThu 30 Apr 2026 01.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThree million UK households are being forced to skip meals as consumers resort to drastic measures to deal with rising costs, according to a Which? report published on Thursday.The conflict in the Middle East and subsequent…
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