UK Poverty Hits 30-Year High: Millions in "Destitution"

A new report says poverty in the UK is deeper and more widespread than at any time in the last three decades. The findings directly blame government policies from 2010 to 2024. The study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) found no progress in reducing poverty during nearly 14 years of Conservative-led government. It says welfare cuts intentionally made life harder for the poorest. The latest data shows one in five people were in relative poverty in 2023-24. This is defined as having less than 60% of the median UK income. More severely, 6.8 million people survived on far less than this. About 3.8 million experienced "destitution" in 2022, meaning they could not afford basic essentials. JRF chief analyst Peter Matejic 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 calls for an urgent change in the political debate on poverty and welfare.