The Cost of Hunger and Hardship
Trussell have recently published major new research entitled ‘The Cost of Hunger and Hardship’.
This new report explores the costs associated with hunger and hardship, a measure of severe hardship. Through detailed economic analysis and conversations with people with experience of hardship, they unpick and value the economic, fiscal and public service costs associated with hunger and hardship. They also model the impact of a range of policy solutions that would reduce the scale and costs of hunger and hardship. As part of this research, they have explored the ways which hunger and hardship specifically impact on physical and mental health and access to healthcare services, and how this contributes to wider costs.
Key findings:
· Hunger and hardship is costing the UK economy, public purse and public services over £75 billion annually. This includes an additional £6.3 billion in public service expenditure on healthcare. There is a strong economic case for tackling severe hardship.
· Our interim report found a record 9.3 million people faced hunger and hardship in 2022/23 – including 3 million children.
· There are countless ways hunger and hardship have deep and long-lasting impacts on the people facing it, covering many facets of life.
· People facing hunger and hardship described how it put huge strain on their mental health, contributing to symptoms of anxiety and depression. We heard how financial situations often exacerbated, or contributed to the development of, physical health conditions. Delays in seeking and receiving healthcare were common, leaving many with untreated and worsening health conditions.