Oxfam report on food poverty in Scotland
Oxfam Scotland has claimed that as a result of soaring food prices, Scotland’s poorest people are facing food shortages akin to Second World War rationing.
Oxfam Scotland said pensioners and those on low incomes are struggling to feed themselves, and parents are skipping meals in order to ensure their families are properly fed. In addition, those on below-average incomes are buying lower-quality food and changing how and where they shop.
The charity points to how food prices have risen at more than twice the rate of the national minimum wage over the past five years.
117 Scottish adults in an income bracket below the “households below average income measurement” were surveyed. The main findings were:
– one in 20 (5%) skip meals to feed their children
– three-quarters (76%) have spent more on food in the last year.
– One in four (25%) said the quality of food they are eating has dropped in the last 12 months, the highest percentage in the
– one in four (23%) spend £40 a week or less on food.
Oxfam Scotland said the poll “charts the real-life effects of rising food prices in Scotland”.
Judith Robertson, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “Rising food prices are a global phenomenon and, despite the UK being one of the world’s richest economies, it’s affecting people here too.
“It is a gross injustice poor people in Scotland are finding it increasingly difficult to feed themselves and their families.”
Danny McCafferty, from Clydebank Independent Resource Centre describes pensioners as being particularly effected and likening the situation to war rationing.”In some ways they’ve gone full circle. Those who are in their 70s and 80s experienced rationing and shortages after the Second World War and now they’re going through it all again”, he said.
Website: STV News
Amanda Frewin
Research & Project Support
– Oxfam report on food poverty in Scotland
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Oxfam report on food poverty in Scotland
Oxfam Scotland has claimed that as a result of soaring food prices, Scotland’s poorest people are facing food shortages akin to Second World War rationing.
Oxfam Scotland said pensioners and those on low incomes are struggling to feed themselves, and parents are skipping meals in order to ensure their families are properly fed. In addition, those on below-average incomes are buying lower-quality food and changing how and where they shop.
The charity points to how food prices have risen at more than twice the rate of the national minimum wage over the past five years.
117 Scottish adults in an income bracket below the “households below average income measurement” were surveyed. The main findings were:
– one in 20 (5%) skip meals to feed their children
– three-quarters (76%) have spent more on food in the last year.
– One in four (25%) said the quality of food they are eating has dropped in the last 12 months, the highest percentage in the
– one in four (23%) spend £40 a week or less on food.
Oxfam Scotland said the poll “charts the real-life effects of rising food prices in Scotland”.
Judith Robertson, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “Rising food prices are a global phenomenon and, despite the UK being one of the world’s richest economies, it’s affecting people here too.
Danny McCafferty, from Clydebank Independent Resource Centre describes pensioners as being particularly effected and likening the situation to war rationing.”In some ways they’ve gone full circle. Those who are in their 70s and 80s experienced rationing and shortages after the Second World War and now they’re going through it all again”, he said.
Website: STV News
Amanda Frewin
Research & Project Support