When Food Is Not a Given

In the UK’s 2024/25 Family Resources Survey, 9% of households had low or very low food security. The questions describe access to food in the 30 days before interview. This is a household measure, not a count of hungry individuals or children.

Food insecurity can involve worrying about food running out, reducing its quality or variety, and eating less because of insufficient resources. Different surveys use different questions and populations; their percentages should not be combined into a single total. Reviewed 15 October 2026.

Key Facts & Figures (Overview)

  • 9% of UK households had low or very low food security in 2024/25.
  • 85% had high food security and 6% had marginal food security.
  • Among households with children, 6% had low and 6% very low food security.
  • 26.5% of pupils covered by England’s January 2026 school census were eligible for free school meals.
  • The lowest-income fifth of UK households spent 15.2% of expenditure on household food and non-alcoholic drink in 2024/25.
  • England expanded free school meals to children in Universal Credit households from the 2026/27 school year, regardless of household earnings.

What Is Food Insecurity?

The Family Resources Survey distinguishes food security from food-bank use. Its food-security questions concern the previous 30 days, while food-bank questions cover both the previous 30 days and the previous 12 months.

High or marginal food security: High security means no reported access problem; marginal security indicates some concern or difficulty without substantially reducing the quality, variety or amount of food.

Low food security: Households report reducing food quality or variety, without substantial reductions in the amount eaten.

Very low food security: Eating patterns are disrupted and food intake is reduced because resources are insufficient. Household answers do not show each member’s individual experience.

Food Costs and Household Budgets

In 2024/25, household food and non-alcoholic drink accounted for 15.2% of expenditure for the lowest-income fifth of UK households, compared with 7.9% for the highest-income fifth and 10.9% overall. These are shares of expenditure, not estimates of the income needed to buy a recommended diet.

Children and Food Insecurity

Reliable access to nutritious food matters for children’s health and learning. The survey does not directly measure these outcomes, but school and household support can help address practical barriers:

  • Access: Make sure families know about free school meals and other local support.
  • Nutrition: Provide varied meals that meet applicable school food standards.
  • Inclusion: Offer support without stigma or assumptions about a child’s family.
  • Individual needs: Plan for allergies, medical dietary requirements and other needs.
  • Safeguarding: Follow school procedures when concerned about a child’s wellbeing.

The January 2026 census recorded 26.5% of pupils as eligible for free school meals. That snapshot predates the September 2026 expansion to all children in Universal Credit households in England. Families must apply and have eligibility verified; the universal infant scheme continues for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Food Insecurity and Food Safety

Limited money, equipment or suitable facilities can make safe food preparation harder. Practical support should protect food safety as well as access:

  • Storage: Follow chilled-food storage instructions and keep the fridge at 5°C or below.
  • Dates: Do not eat food after its use-by date, even if it looks or smells normal. Best-before dates concern quality.
  • Cooking facilities: Choose foods that can be stored and prepared safely with the equipment available.
  • Redistribution: Donated food must remain safe, traceable where required, and accompanied by appropriate allergen information.

Written by Food Safety Experts

This article was written by the team at Level 2 Food Hygiene, specialists in food safety training and compliance.

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Mark McShane
Mark McShane
Health & Safety Training Specialist, Online CPD Academy

Mark writes about food safety, food hygiene and accredited online training for Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, part of Online CPD Academy.