A recent analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has unveiled a staggering increase in the number of families in the UK classified as living in “very deep poverty.” This troubling trend highlights that millions of households are struggling to meet basic needs such as food, clothing, and utilities. As the cost of living continues to rise, the situation is becoming increasingly dire for those at the bottom of the economic ladder.
A Deepening Crisis
According to the JRF, approximately 6.8 million individuals—roughly half of all those living in poverty—now fall into this category of very deep poverty. This figure represents the highest number recorded since the JRF began tracking such statistics three decades ago. The analysis indicates that while relative poverty levels have stabilised at around 21% of the population, for those in the most vulnerable positions, life has become markedly more difficult.
Peter Matejic, chief analyst at the JRF, stated, “Poverty in the UK is still not just widespread; it is deeper and more damaging than at any point in the last 30 years.” The report underscores that many families are struggling to make ends meet, often forced to forgo essential items and services.
Understanding Very Deep Poverty
Very deep poverty is defined as having an income below 40% of the national poverty threshold after housing costs. For instance, a family of four, including two young children, would need to earn less than £16,400 annually to qualify as being in this condition. Alarmingly, the average income for those in very deep poverty is reported to be 59% below the poverty line.
Despite fluctuations in economic conditions, many households find themselves trapped in this cycle of poverty. Approximately 1.9 million people experience persistent very deep poverty, with families needing to earn an additional £14,700 each year to escape their dire circumstances.
The Reality of Destitution
In an even more alarming revelation, around 3.8 million people in the UK are experiencing destitution—a condition more severe than very deep poverty, where individuals cannot afford basic necessities such as warmth, cleanliness, or even adequate nutrition. The JRF’s findings reflect data from the 2023-24 period, underlining that no significant progress has been made in reducing poverty throughout the last Conservative government’s tenure from 2010 to 2024.
While the JRF has welcomed Labour’s recent initiatives aimed at tackling child poverty, such as abolishing the two-child benefit limit, it cautions that a comprehensive strategy to combat broader hardship remains lacking. The rising food insecurity and the persistent low rates of benefits indicate that many people are still reliant on food banks, as the promise of reducing this dependence is progressing slowly.
A Call for Urgent Action
Matejic further warns, “When nearly half of the people in poverty are living far below the poverty line, that is a warning sign that the welfare system is failing to protect people from harm.” He advocates for urgent measures to address the record levels of deep poverty, suggesting that the government must take decisive action to ensure that all families can afford the essentials of life.
The Department for Work and Pensions has yet to comment on the findings, but the need for a robust response to this escalating crisis is clearer than ever.
Why it Matters
The staggering rise in very deep poverty in the UK serves as a stark reminder of the widening chasm between the economic elite and those struggling to survive. As food banks become an increasingly common safety net, it is crucial for policymakers to recognise the urgency of this issue. Without substantial intervention, millions of families may continue to face a bleak future, caught in a relentless cycle of hardship and deprivation. The implications extend beyond mere statistics; they reflect the very fabric of society and the moral obligation to support our most vulnerable citizens.
