Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Most Britons cutting back on food as prices soar, says new survey

Most Britons cutting back on food as prices soar, says new survey
(Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Getty Images

More than half of UK adults say they reduced the amount of food they buy to save money amid the ongoing inflationary pressures in the country, reveals a new poll today (17), adding that the households are also socialising less, turning off lights, travelling less and expecting to work more, as they try to deal with rising prices.

A recent new poll, commissioned by BBC News, states that more than half (56 percent) of 4,011 people asked had bought fewer groceries, and the same proportion had skipped meals.


Many people have cut spending on clothes and socialising. Some say their mental health has been affected.

Two-thirds of those surveyed also suggested government support provided so far was insufficient.

The findings further suggest more than eight in 10 people (81 percent) are worried about the rising cost of living as the cost of domestic energy, petrol, and food have all increased significantly in recent months.

In the latest results, two thirds (66 percent) of those with worries said this was having a negative effect on their mental health. Nearly half (45 percent) said their physical health had been affected.

Britons are also making further changes to manage their budgets. The survey suggests this can be as simple as going on fewer nights out, or travelling less, switching off lights or getting a haircut less often.

A large majority (84 percent) said they had spent less on their clothes at some point in the previous six months.

About half (52 percent) expect to work more hours in the next six months to help to pay the bills.

The survey results came the same day as Tesco revealed early signs of shoppers changing their habits due to inflation like buying less food and visiting the store more frequently.

Chief executive Ken Murphy also said people are switching to cheaper own-label brands for goods including bread and pasta which have seen prices soar due to the war between Ukraine and Russia.

More for you

A woman walks past a window display promoting an ongoing sale

A woman walks past a window display promoting an ongoing sale, on December 13, 2024 in London, England.

Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Retail sales disappoint before Christmas

UK retail sales rose less than expected in the runup to Christmas, according to official data Friday that deals a fresh blow to government hopes of growing the economy.

Separate figures revealed a temporary reprieve for prime minister Keir Starmer, however, as public borrowing fell sharply in November.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sybren Attema, and Betty Eekchaut

Presidents Sybren Attema, FrieslandCampina, and Betty Eekchaut, Milcobel

Yazoo parent FrieslandCampina announces merger with Belgian rival Milcobel

Dutch dairy collective FrieslandCampina has agreed to merge with smaller Belgian rival Milcobel, creating a leading dairy cooperative.

FrieslandCampina, whose brands include Yazoo and Chocomel, said the merger will provide the foundation for a future-oriented organisation that has dairy front and centre for member dairy farmers, employees, consumers, and customers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Retail Shoplifting. Man Stealing In Supermarket
Photo: iStock

Home Office reaffirms commitment to abolish £200 shoplifting threshold

The UK government has pledged stronger measures to combat anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, which it acknowledges as serious crimes that disrupt communities and harm businesses.

Addressing a House of Lords debate on Monday, Home Office minister Lord Hanson detailed plans to abolish the controversial £200 shoplifting threshold and to introduce a new offence for assaults on retail workers.

Keep ReadingShow less
post office store
Photo: Post Office Ltd

Post Office launches wellbeing hub to support postmasters amid rising retail crime

In response to the mounting pressures faced by postmasters across the UK, the Post Office has unveiled a centralised wellbeing platform aimed at simplifying access to support resources.

Post Office said the surge in shoplifting and violent incidents, documented in the 2024 ACS Crime Report, has only intensified the demand for comprehensive support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Independent retailers face mixed outlook for 2025 – Bira
iStock

Independent retailers face mixed outlook for 2025 – Bira

Independent retailers have weathered one of their most challenging years in 2024, with multiple headwinds affecting the sector, according to the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira).

With pressures mounting throughout the year, independent retailers have faced an increasingly difficult trading environment marked by changing consumer behaviour and economic uncertainties.

Keep ReadingShow less