A new study released this week has shown that more than 2 million adults in the UK are now unable to afford to eat every day.
One in seven adults (7.3 million) in the UK is now thought to be food insecure in the UK, a jump of 57% from figures of 4.7 million seen in January, according to research by the Food Foundation think tank.
And it is not just adults going hungry. Children are suffering too, with 2.6 million reporting having smaller meals than usual, skipping meals, or not being able to eat when they feel hungry at all.
It appears that food insecurity levels are now returning to that seen at the start of the first national Covid lockdown in May 2020.
However, whilst early food insecurity at the start of Covid was down to a food scarcity issue caused by 'just in time' delivery models combined with panic buying, now people are instead struggling with poverty and rising food costs instead.
What's more, food banks are now reporting that people are requesting food that doesn't need cooking as they are scared to use the energy to make a hot meal.
The Food Foundation said it was so shocked by its findings that it reran the survey on a larger scale, only to get the same results again.
Anna Taylor, the foundation’s executive director, said: “The extremely rapid rise in food insecurity since January points to a catastrophic situation for families. Food insecurity puts families under extreme mental stress and forces people to survive on the cheapest calories, which lead to health problems.”
Prof Sir Michael Marmot, a public health expert at University College London, said: “If one household in seven is food insecure, society is failing in a fundamental way. These figures on food insecurity are all the more chilling because the problem is soluble, but far from being solved it is getting worse.”
The shadow work and pensions secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, has described the findings as 'devastating'. He told The Guardian: "Boris Johnson is responsible for this crisis and has no solutions to fix it”.
It is hoped that there will be some new measures announced in the Queen's speech today to help people being forced to choose between heating and eating.
One measure that has been announced by the government in recent days to 'assist' the country's poorest citizens focuses around making it easier for low-paid people to work second and third jobs.
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak recently went on record to say it would be 'silly' to offer more support to people struggling with the cost of living crisis at this time.
Elsewhere, leading energy companies such as BP and Shell have recorded record profits and some energy bosses are now calling on the government to introduce a windfall tax, amid an anticipated £1,000 rise in energy bills this winter.
Feature image - Central Foodbank
News
A modern Mexican restaurant made famous in Manchester is opening in Leeds city centre next week
The North’s favourite Mexican restaurant is arriving in Leeds.
You've met Salon Madre, but have you met her older sister Madre?
This fabulous new restaurant is bringing a taste of Mexico to Leeds, and after making a name for themselves over in Manchester you already know it's going to be good.
By day, Madre is a laid-back space designed for relaxed lunches and by night, it transforms into a lively restaurant serving a menu that celebrates the breadth of Mexican cuisine.
Expect everything from rich Oaxacan-inspired moles and salsas to Baja-style mariscos and Sonoran grilled meats.
Images: The Manc Group
At the heart of Madre is the Mexican tradition of sobremesa - the art of lingering at the table long after the meal is over. It’s all about good food, great drinks and even better company.
Madre’s famous Taco Tuesday will also be heading to Leeds, launching on Cinco de Mayo and running every Tuesday thereafter, guests can enjoy two-for-one tacos all day, every Tuesday.
Madre joins its sister venue, Salon Madre - the lively tequila bar and taqueria- which opened just a few weeks ago. Just a few minutes walk apart, the two spots are perfectly paired for a full day or night out.
We're talking dinner at Madre followed by a few margaritas and a couple games of pool at Salon Madre - class.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by extensive travels across Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve, and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of Madre.”
Madre Leeds will be located on Wellington Place and will officially open its doors next Friday 17 April, you can book your table here.
Take a look inside the huge Tulip Festival that’s just opened in Yorkshire with over one million tulips
Clementine Hall
Farmer Copley's Tulip Festival is back and it's just as beautiful as we remember.
Spring has officially sprung and with it, so does Farmer Copley's iconic Tulip Festival that officially opened last Sunday.
Based in West Yorkshire, nestled between Pontefract and Featherstone, the Copley family really know how to get you feeling ready for the season ahead.
Just moments after entering the festival, we can assure you that winter will feel like a distant memory.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Spanning over 8 acres, Jack and the team have planted over 600,00 tulip bulbs consisting of 100+ different varieties of all shapes and colours that arrived directly from the Netherlands.
In addition to the 500,000 planted last year, that means there's over one million tulips to enjoy - now that is pretty impressive if you ask us.
Varieties include Carnaval de Rio, Tom Pouce, Gavota, Lily Flowering Mix, Blushing Appledorn, Wedding Dress and Rodolfo.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The festival includes five sections that have been split by 5 metre walkways enabling the best customer interaction in the field.
There's two dedicated pick your own areas where a mix of bulbs have been planted to ensure that visitors have a wide range of tulips to explore, pick from and create the perfect bunch of tulips. How lovely is that?
Of course there's plenty of photo opportunities, fairground rides and a bar to enjoy the view with a tipple or two.
This really is the perfect family-friendly day out and with the weather looking gorgeous (for now), we'd take the opportunity to see the tulips looking their best whilst you can.
The festival is on until Sunday 3 May 2026, with tickets starting from just £9.
To find out more and to book your ticket, take a look at Farmer Copleys website. We'll see you in the tulip fields.
Georgina Pellant -
10th May 2022 
