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

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.