Stories

Tue, 21 Jul 2026

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 'I can't afford to turn the oven on': 7.4m households struggling to buy essentials

As Andy Burnham promises “breathing space” for households, millions are unable to buy items such as clothing, heating and food.

* Almost two-thirds of low-income families struggle to afford essentials like food, heating and clothes
* 62% of low-income families couldn't afford an essential item in the past six months
* Record number of households unable to afford basic necessities
* Pensioner Elaine Yates (77) struggles to make ends meet, often goes without meals or heating due to financial constraints
* Single parent Zoe Hayden (35) also faces financial difficulties, says rising costs are a challenge when feeding her family
* Charities call for greater intervention from government to control rental prices, make energy affordable and improve Universal Credit
* Government responds by saying they're determined to turn the tide on poverty, but critics say more needs to be done.