Three million UK households are skipping meals as rising costs force drastic measures, according to a new report from consumer group Which?.
The consumer insight tracker for April showed confidence plunging to -62, the lowest since the 2022 cost of living crisis. Some 85% of adults now worry about food prices, up from 83% in February, and 71% expect the economy to worsen over the next year.
To cope, 43% are buying cheaper products, 37% are choosing more supermarket own-brand items, and one in ten households are skipping meals. Fuel price concerns have also risen, with eight in ten worried, leading to reduced driving and fewer social visits.
Missed bill payments have increased to an average of 7.5% over the past three months, up from 5.7% at the end of 2025. Which? policy director Rocio Concha warned that without intervention, the number of households taking drastic steps is likely to rise.
Which? has launched a cost of living manifesto urging policy changes to address costs and improve access to essentials.
