Food bank usage has reached its peak among those experiencing the most severe levels of deprivation, classified as households unable to afford fundamental necessities such as staying warm, dry, clean, clothed, and fed.
Record Number of UK Residents Endure 'Very Deep Poverty'
Analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has uncovered a troubling reality: the United Kingdom's poorest families are sinking deeper into financial hardship. A record number of individuals are now categorised as living in "very deep poverty," defined by annual household incomes that fall drastically short of covering essential costs like food, energy bills, and clothing.
While overall relative poverty rates have remained stagnant at approximately 21% of the population in recent years, the situation for those below the breadline has deteriorated significantly. These households are attempting to survive on incomes that are thousands of pounds beneath the official poverty threshold, leading to a materially worse quality of life.
Unprecedented Scale of Deprivation
The JRF's research indicates that about 6.8 million people—representing half of all those in poverty—are now in very deep poverty. This figure marks the highest number and proportion recorded since data collection began three decades ago, signalling a crisis of unprecedented magnitude.
Households with the lowest incomes continue to grapple with a persistent cost of living crisis, now entering its fourth year. Millions are being forced to skip meals, fall behind on household bills, and resort to borrowing simply to survive, according to the foundation's findings.
Peter Matejic, the JRF's chief analyst, stated emphatically: "Poverty in the UK is still not just widespread, it is deeper and more damaging than at any point in the last 30 years."
Defining the Depth of Hardship
Very deep poverty is technically defined as having less than 40% of the UK poverty threshold after accounting for rent payments. On average, households in this category have incomes that are 59% below the poverty line. For a couple with two young children, this translates to an annual income of £16,400 or less.
Although some households move in and out of very deep poverty over time, approximately 1.9 million people—or 3% of the UK population—are persistently trapped in this state of severe deprivation. A couple with two young children would need to earn an additional £14,700 per year to completely escape poverty.
The JRF's most recent estimates reveal an even more alarming statistic: about 3.8 million people in the UK experienced destitution during the study period. This category represents an even more extreme form of hardship than very deep poverty, where households cannot afford to maintain basic standards of warmth, dryness, cleanliness, clothing, and nutrition.
Political Context and Policy Response
The analysis draws upon data from the 2023-24 period, which corresponds to the final year of the last Conservative government and represents the latest available official figures. The JRF concludes that no meaningful progress in reducing poverty was achieved under Conservative leadership between 2010-11 and 2023-24.
The foundation has expressed cautious optimism regarding Labour's recently announced child poverty strategy, particularly its decision to scrap the controversial two-child benefit limit. This policy change is projected to result in the most significant reduction in child poverty over a parliamentary term since records began in the 1960s.
However, the JRF has issued a stark warning about the broader approach to tackling economic hardship. The organisation noted "a seeming lack of urgency and sense of direction" in addressing poverty beyond the specific focus on child poverty. Concerns were raised about rising food insecurity, inadequate basic benefit rates, and slow progress on Labour's manifesto commitment to end mass dependence on food banks.
Systemic Failures and Human Impact
Matejic elaborated on the systemic implications of these findings: "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 continued: "People want to feel like the country is turning a corner. That means taking action on record levels of deep poverty so everyone can afford the essentials. It means making people feel supported rather than being one redundancy or bout of ill health away from failing to make ends meet."
The Department for Work and Pensions has been approached for comment regarding these concerning developments in UK poverty levels.
