Hunger and hardship are placing a staggering £13.7 billion strain on UK public services due to the government’s failure to tackle rising poverty, according to a new report by the anti-poverty charity, the Trussell Trust.
The report reveals that the overall annual cost of hunger and deprivation in the UK has reached £75.6 billion, driving up spending across essential services such as the NHS, education, and children’s social care. These pressures are felt most sharply in schools and healthcare.
Schools are forced to allocate over £1.5 billion a year to provide free meals for children from low-income families. Meanwhile, the NHS spends an additional £6.3 billion treating mental and physical health conditions linked to food insecurity and economic stress.
The report also highlights the long-term economic consequences of hardship. Precarious employment, reduced productivity, and wider social impacts are estimated to cost the UK economy over £38 billion annually.
Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact at the Trussell Trust, stressed the urgency of action.
With 9.3 million people in the UK – including 3 million children – facing hunger and hardship, she said the government must act to prevent further reliance on food banks and emergency support.
The report raises serious concerns over proposed cuts to disability benefits, warning that people with disabilities are already disproportionately affected by poverty. Slashing support could deepen food insecurity and drive even greater demand on public services.
Barnard added that the government must fulfil its commitment to end the need for emergency food aid, and that cutting benefits for the most vulnerable would be not only morally wrong, but economically damaging.
As the cost of hunger continues to mount, campaigners are calling on the UK government to prioritise poverty reduction, strengthen the social safety net, and ensure all households have access to essentials.
