A rise in food insecurity is affecting UK households more than before.
- Defra reports climate change, inflation, and Brexit as main causes.
- Food security has decreased from 87% to 83% in three years.
- Young, poor, and disabled people are hit hardest by food insecurity.
- North West and North East England face the highest food insecurity rates.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has released a report indicating a worrying increase in food insecurity across UK households. Various factors contribute to this decline, with notable influences from climate change, ongoing inflation, and the consequences of Brexit. Together, these elements have intensified challenges in accessing necessary food resources.
Defra’s findings reveal a decrease in the number of households considered ‘highly food secure.’ From 2019/20 to 2022/23, this figure fell from 87% to 83%, demonstrating the growing struggle in maintaining adequate food security. The decline in food security is also apparent in households’ ability to afford a balanced diet, which decreased from 92% to 90% over the same period.
Particularly affected are young people aged 16 to 24, whose households receive the poorest ratings for food security. The poorest households are consuming 42% fewer fruits and vegetables than recommended, highlighting a significant nutritional gap. This points to the broader issue of affordability and access to healthy food options.
Geographically, certain regions are more impacted by food insecurity. In England, areas like the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Humber, and the West Midlands report the highest levels of insecurity. These regions face increased pressure partly due to rising food costs and the changing economic landscape.
The report underscores the impact of recent geopolitical and climate events, which have led to higher costs for food production inputs such as energy and fertilizer. This has resulted in a challenging business environment for the UK food sector, significantly affecting food pricing and availability.
Food insecurity in the UK is escalating due to complex economic and environmental factors, severely impacting vulnerable groups.
