The new ‘Bare Necessities’ report from Resolution Foundation highlights key challenges facing those on low to middle income in the UK.
In short, they say:
- Essentials (food, energy, transport, clothing and childcare) are taking up more of households’ total spending than they have in the past, and this has the biggest impact on low-income households
- The poorest fifth of working-age households now spend 51% of their after-housing budgets on ‘essentials’ (up from 46% in 2006); the richest fifth spend just 39% (38% in 2006)
- The share of working-age adults in very low food security rose from 4% to 6% between 2021-22 and 2023-24, with the rate for children climbing from 5.6% to 9.4% (pictured above)
- Proportion of individuals living in low to middle income households unable to keep their accommodation warm enough rose from 11% to 18% in the same period
This is of great relevance to physical activity because an increasing number of people who are struggling to meet ‘Basic’ / ‘Physiological’ needs, such as food and warmth (ref. Maslow’s Hierarchy), are less likely to be able to achieve higher tier needs relevant to exercise and sport.