Revealed: Two in five Brits forced to make impossible decisions between buying food and paying other household bills

• In the last year, 38% of people have had to make the decision between buying food versus other household bills such as heating
• 38% of Brits have reduced spending on either food, essential household items or utilities in the last 3 months - and 75% of these people have done so as a result of the increased cost of living
• 76% of people who reduced their spending on food and essentials are also worried about their future financial situation over the next 3 months

Latest research by Post Office reveals 2 in 5 people had to make the decision between buying food versus other household bills such as heating, with food price increases (61%) and rise in energy bills (71%) given as key reasons for this. Worryingly 41% of this group have gone without food to feed other members of their family at some point over the last 12 months.

The research, which comes in payday week for millions of households, shows the impact of inflation in the UK as 38% of Brits have had to reduce spending on either food, essential household items or utilities in the last three months and 75% of these people have done so as a result of the increased cost of living. This includes increased food prices and rising energy bills. 76% of people who had to reduce their spending are also worried about their financial situation over the next three months.

This research comes as Post Office partners with anti-poverty charity, the Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of over 1,300 food bank centres. Last year, food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network provided over 2.5m emergency food parcels to people in crisis, with nearly a million of these for children.

Almost all (95%) people referred to food banks in its network are destitute – meaning they cannot afford the essentials we all need to eat, stay warm and dry, and keep clean. At a time when energy prices are rising and the regulator announced a 54% increase in the energy price cap last week, for some, an unexpected illness or job loss can turn a bad situation into a financial crisis.

Until the 31^stMarch, anyone who uses cash withdrawal services over the counter at Post Office can help to make a big difference to individuals and families who may be facing very difficult decisions, like switching on the heating or putting food on the table.

As customers come to Post Office to manage their household finances and pay their bills, the business is donating 1p for every cash withdrawal made in any of its 11,500 branches, to the Trussell Trust. The charitable initiative will run until 31^st March 2022. This donation will help food banks in the Trussell Trust network provide help and support to families forced to make very difficult decisions between heating and eating reduce the impact of increasing household bills and unexpected costs this winter. With over 1.5m over the counter cash withdrawals every week, Post Office hopes to raise £250,000.

Laura Joseph, Customer Experience Director at Post Office, comments: “We’re proud to partner with the Trussell Trust – hunger and poverty in the UK is a very real issue that we all need to come together to tackle head on, especially in these unprecedented times.

“Millions of people will be paying bills over the counter at their local Post Office in the coming months and many of these customers may be facing very difficult financial decisions and need support from organisations like the Trussell Trust. We will make a donation to the Trussell Trust every time a customer withdraws cash at any of our 11,500 branches and hope to raise £250,000 to help fight poverty and hunger.”

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust comments: “Over the last five years, we have seen more and more people struggling to afford the essentials – such as food and clothing – for their families. Figures from our food bank network reveal more than 5,100 emergency food parcels were provided for people every day from April to September last year, and with the looming cost of living crisis, need for food banks looks set to increase. Our new partnership means that just by withdrawing cash at your local Post Office branch, you will be helping us support families who are having to make impossible decisions between heating and eating this winter, while supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK, for good.’’

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Research carried out by Post Office in January 2022 in partnership with Dynata. The consumer survey was taken from an online panel of 2011 adults age 16+ respondents from throughout the UK.

Survey questions and numbers of respondents available on request.

About Post Office x Trussell Trust partnership

Post Office will donate 1p to the Trussell Trust (charity numbers: 1110522 and SC044246) for every cash withdrawal made over the counter (excluding ATMs) from 29th November 2021 – 31st March 2022. For more information please visit: www.postoffice.co.uk/trussell-trust

With over 1.5m over the counter cash withdrawals every week, Post Office hopes to raise £250,000.

About Post Office

• With over 11,500 branches, Post Office has the biggest retail network in the UK, with more branches than all the banks and building societies combined.
• Post Office is helping anyone who wants cash to get it whichever way is most convenient. Partnership with over 30 banks, building societies and credit unions means that 99% of UK bank customers can access their accounts at their Post Office.
• With over 1.5m over the counter cash withdrawals every week, Post Office hopes to raise £250,000 this winter.
• Cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries can be made securely and conveniently over the counter at any Post Office; and the biggest investment by any organisation or company in the last decade is being made to safeguard 1,400 free-to-use ATMs across the UK.
• Post Office is simplifying its proposition for Postmasters with a focus on its cash and banking; mails and parcels; foreign exchange; and bill payments services.
• Research has found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses equating to an estimated £1.1 billion in additional revenue for High Street businesses.
• 99.7% of the population live within three miles of a Post Office; and 4,000 branches are open seven days a week.
• To find your local Post Office branch, please visit: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder