UK food insecurity hits new highs, Trussell Trust report shows

Recent research by the Trussell Trust reveals that food insecurity in the UK is intensifying, with more people than ever struggling just to get by. The landmark Hunger in the UK report uncovers who is affected, how, and why urgent changes are necessary.

Key findings

• 1 in 6 households (around 16%) across the UK experienced food insecurity in 2024, up from 14% in 2022.

• That represents about 14.1 million people, including 3.8 million children, living in households that sometimes cannot afford enough food or of sufficient quality.

• Certain groups are disproportionately affected:
  • People with mental health conditions (35%) and those with learning difficulties or disabilities (43%) are far more likely to face food insecurity than non-disabled people (11%). 
  • Individuals from racialised communities (25%) and the LGBTQIA+ community (34%) also report much higher rates of food insecurity.

• Children bear a heavy burden:
  • More than 1 in 4 children live in food-insecure households. 
  • For very young children (0-5 years), the figure is even higher, about 31%.

• Low income after housing costs is a major driver:
  • People referred to food banks report having just £104/week to live on after paying rent or mortgage, which is far below what’s needed to meet basic needs.

What this means

These figures show that food insecurity is no longer a marginal issue-it’s affecting millions, cutting across age, disability status, and identity. Many people are going without essentials, not just occasionally, but on a regular basis. The report points to a social security system that is failing to protect people, wages that are inadequate, and benefit payments that are too low for the realities of the cost of living.

Call to action

Trussell Trust urges policymakers to:

• Improve benefit adequacy so payments cover real living costs.

• Strengthen support for disabled people, racialised groups, and those with learning or mental health needs.

• Ensure local and national systems make households resilient, not just respond to crisis.

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