UK families facing cold, hungry winter as food and energy costs rise
CAP’s new analysis suggests a significant rise in adults struggling to repay debt, with latest polling revealing that over 9 million are at risk
Our latest research highlights a concerning picture of poverty in the UK. Millions are facing yet another winter of hunger, cold and anxiety.
Stewart McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer, CAP
New polling and national analysis from CAP, suggests a significant rise in adults struggling to repay debt, with the charity’s latest polling revealing that over 9 million are heading into winter struggling to repay what they owe. CAP’s new report exposes how families across the UK are facing a winter of hunger, cold and anxiety as food and energy costs continue to rise.
The ‘Picture of Poverty’ report, with new Opinium research polling, paints a grim picture. When viewed alongside previous survey findings commissioned by the charity it flags a soaring debt crisis:
2023: 9% of UK adults (just under one in ten) had debts they didn’t know how they’d repay. (YouGov data for CAP)
2025: 17% of UK adults (over 9 million) report having debt that they are struggling to repay (excluding student loans or mortgages). This significant increase underscores a worsening financial landscape, with nearly twice as many individuals facing severe debt challenges compared to two years prior. (Opinium data for CAP)
9.5 million
UK adults have a deficit budget
15 million
with daily anxiety about finances
The report also highlights other areas of concern this winter:
Income deficit: Around 9.5 million (18%) UK adults report not having enough income to cover the costs of their essentials (they have a deficit budget)
Devastating trade-offs: The struggle to manage debt forces desperate choices. 30% of those in debt have gone without electricity or gas in the past year, and over a third (36%) have skipped a meal at least once a week because of financial challenges.
Mental health impact: Financial pressures are taking a severe toll on mental well-being, with 28% of UK adults (over 15 million) experiencing daily anxiety about their finances.
Families hit hardest: Parents with children under 18 are disproportionately affected, with 27% struggling to repay debt, compared to 14% of adults without children
CAP’s new report comes out during Challenge Poverty Week England and Wales, and the charity is calling for the UK government to ensure that everyone is able to afford food, energy and other basic essentials by introducing a minimum income floor that no one can fall below.
Stewart McCulloch added:
“Our local CAP workers, from over 250 UK debt centres based at local churches, are seeing deep levels of poverty among some of the most vulnerable groups, such as families with young children, and people living with disabilities.
“The local churches that CAP partners with, offer free and vital face to face debt advice and other support. Daily, they are visiting families who have empty fridges, cold rooms and are living in constant fear of being unable to afford the basics — falling into spiralling debt.
“CAP is urging the UK Government to commit to setting wage and social security rates to a liveable income that ensures everyone has access to their basic needs; food, energy, and safe and dry accommodation. That’s something I think we can all agree on that every human being deserves.”
