Nearly half of adults in the UK have admitted to buying less food as the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household spending across the country.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics revealed that 49% of those surveyed said they are consciously buying less food and drink than they were at the start of the year.
The survey, which was carried out between 22 June and 3 July is the latest indicator of how families are dealing with the cost-of-living crisis, and highlights a rapid increase in the number of people buying less food to keep costs down.
A previous survey, taken between 8 and 19 June, found that around four in 10 adults (43%) had said that they were buying less food.
READ MORE: 56% of Britons are buying fewer groceries amid cost of living crisis
At the same time, nine out of every 10 people surveyed (91%) reported that their cost of living had risen over the last month.
Households have come under increasing pressure in the last few months as bills and food prices continue to soar amid rocketing inflation and supply chain pressures.
The survey responses come as inflation has hit a 40-year high with the Institute of Grocery Distribution estimating that food inflation will peak at 15% this summer.
The sharp increases have been more difficult for households on the lowest incomes who already spent a majority of their incomes on the bare essentials or live without a savings pot to dip into.
Further pressures come from the rising costs of fuel and household bills, after the price of energy to heat and run homes increased by 54% at the start of April. This is expected to rise even further in October, potentially by another £1,000 per year.
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