1 in 5 UK workers missing out on meals because short of money

Thursday, October 3rd, 2019

A new study carried out by GQR for the UK’s Trades Union Congress (TUC) shows many workers are forced to change daily habits to make ends meet. 1 in 5 (20%) workers report skipping meals because they are short of money, while another 1 in 5 (20%) had pawned or sold something.

The number missing out on meals has increased by more than half in two years. When asked the same question in 2017, 1 in 8 (13%) workers reported skipping main meals.

The TUC says that the findings highlight a deepening cost of living crisis. Asked how they would deal with an unexpected £500 bill, nearly 1 in 3 (30%) workers say they wouldn’t be able to pay – up from 24% in 2017. Of those that could pay, one in four (24%) say they would have to go into debt or sell something.

GQR designed and carried out the survey of 2,700 working people in Great Britain aged 16 and over. Fieldwork was conducted online with results weighted to the national profile of working people by age, gender, region, social grade, ethnicity, work status, and work sector.

Data tables for the poll are available to download here.

For more information, contact GQR’s London Vice President Peter McLeod, on Twitter @mcleodp or info@gqrr.com