Food insecurity is increasingly affecting households across the UK, as revealed by a report from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
According to Defra’s findings, several factors contribute to the growing challenge of food insecurity within the United Kingdom. These include climate change, inflation, and the aftermath of Brexit. Particularly vulnerable groups such as poorer families, younger individuals, and people with disabilities are feeling the brunt of these issues. The percentage of UK households that are considered ‘highly food secure’ has fallen from 87% in 2019/20 to 83% in 2022/23. Similarly, the proportion of households affording a balanced diet has decreased from 92% to 90% over the same timeframe.
The report highlights that young individuals, especially those in households headed by persons aged 16 to 24, are experiencing the most severe food insecurity. Moreover, the consumption of fruits and vegetables by the poorest households is alarmingly 42% below the recommended average. In England, regions such as the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, and the West Midlands show the highest rates of food insecurity.
The economic context, as described by the report, is daunting. There has been a notable drop in food-secure households, coinciding with increased financial burdens from soaring general inflation and food prices. Notably, food inflation in the UK has reached a peak not seen in 45 years, surpassing general consumer price inflation. This inflation is influenced by geopolitical tensions and climate-related events, which have escalated costs for food production inputs like energy and fertilisers, complicating the business landscape for the food sector.
The report by Defra underscores a significant challenge faced by many in the UK today—securing enough nutritious food amid ongoing economic and environmental hurdles.
