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Which? Survey Finds Three Million UK Households Skipping Meals as Confidence Slumps

The consumer group urges swift fixes such as uprating the Healthy Start vouchers to stop a slide into deeper hardship.

Overview

  • Which?’s Consumer Insight Tracker, covering the month to April 10, reports one in ten households skipping meals, equal to about three million.
  • Consumer confidence fell to -62, the weakest reading since 2022, with 71% of adults expecting the economy to worsen over the next year.
  • Over half of households changed how they cover essential costs by cutting back or using savings, and 7.7% missed a bill, loan or credit card payment.
  • Food pressures are mounting, with 85% worried about prices and 67% switching to cheaper or own-brand items, while 15% go without some foods.
  • Fuel costs weigh too, with 83% worried and 69% trimming driving, as Which? launches a Parliament manifesto urging Healthy Start reforms and supermarket support.