Cash-strapped families 'skipping meals'

30/07/2008

Many British families have been forced to skip meals due to rising food prices, a joint survey from Barclays and children's charity NCH has shown.

According to the research, 12 per cent of people have gone hungry due to cost concerns recently - a figure that goes up to one in five among those on low incomes.

The survey follows the release of data from pollsters ICM, which found that families with two or three children have faced price rises for food of 21 per cent over the past year.

Clare Tickell at NCH said: "There's no doubt that everyone is feeling the pinch and that those on the lowest incomes are suffering most."

Kevin Still, director of EuroDebt, added: "Whilst missing meals is an extreme, it is clear that many Britons are making serious cutbacks in their daily expenditure, as evidenced by the major downturn in retail sales figures and the significant rise in the purchase of budget and unbranded food items.

"There needs to be a careful balance between just tightening your belt financially and taking proper independent advice where families are not able to meet basic living costs potentially adversely impacting their health and ability to work."

Tags; Housing Debt and Bills, Young Family Finances,

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