The latest Broken Plate report from the Food Foundation reveals that families in the lowest income bracket with children must now allocate an alarming 85% of their disposable income to eat a diet that meets government health recommendations. This figure marks a significant increase from 70% in 2024 and reflects a widening gap between the prices of healthier and less healthy food options, the largest seen in over ten years.
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The report highlights that healthier food options are nearly twice as expensive per calorie as less healthy counterparts. It further emphasizes that foods high in fat, sugar, and salt are the only group to experience a price drop over the past year. Fast-food establishments now represent one in four food purchasing locations in England, with this figure rising to over one in three in the most deprived areas. Additionally, 40% of promotions for food and drinks are directed towards unhealthy options, while marketing for fruit and vegetables makes up only 3% of promotional activities.
According to the report, households in the lowest income fifth need to spend 49% of their disposable income on a healthy diet outlined in the government's Eatwell Guide, contrasting sharply with only 11% required for the highest income fifth. The rising costs of food are exacerbated by geopolitical factors, including the War in the Middle East, predicted to further inflame food prices.
The report also points to alarming trends in children's health, indicating that only one in ten young people aged 11 to 18 regularly consume the recommended five portions of fruits and vegetables, and that 95% exceed the advised limits on free sugars. Children from deprived backgrounds are nearly twice as likely to suffer from obesity, and over one in five five-year-olds experience tooth decay, which rises to more than one in three in disadvantaged areas.
Health leaders are emphasizing the urgent need for policy reform to improve access to nutritious food. Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation, stated that the report underscores the growing difficulty for families to secure healthy diets, urging the government to fulfill its promises to create healthier generations and alleviate child poverty. Taylor expressed concern over potential delays in implementing health measures promised in the government’s Ten-Year Plan.
Katie Schmuecker from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation noted that the disparity between income and food costs is becoming more pronounced, echoing the call for Universal Credit adjustments to reflect the true cost of essential living expenses, including food.
The report serves as a critical call to action for policymakers to address food accessibility and to ensure that all families can afford the nutritious meals essential for long-term health.