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Mon, 19 Oct 2026

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 Charities 'busier than ever' with furniture poverty

Charities in Hampshire tell the BBC that furniture poverty is becoming an increasing problem.

*National charity End Furniture Poverty defines furniture poverty as the inability to access or afford basic household items, including beds, cookers and fridges.
*A group of MPs is calling on the government to develop a national strategy to address the issue, while the government says it is already taking action to support households.
*Charities such as Scratch and Moving On Project Portsmouth report being busier than ever, with many people struggling to access basic furniture due to financial constraints or crisis situations.
*The problem is not confined to one area, with charities in different regions reporting a significant increase in demand for furniture.
*A government spokesperson said that no one should have to live without essential furniture and that the government is taking action to support renters through a £1bn fund.