Thread by @ONS

Latest analysis on how the rise in the #CostOfLiving and difficulty accessing NHS services have impacted people’s lives in Great Britain (15 to 26 February 2023)

16% of adults reported experiencing very low or low food security🍽️

➡️ ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulati…

Those more likely to report food insecurity included adults:

▪️ with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (42%)
▪️ who were economically inactive, not retired (35%),
▪️ who were unemployed (30%)
▪️ with at least one dependent child (26%)

In this period, 21% of adults were eating food past its use-by date to save money on food because of increases in the #CostOfLiving 🍞

Compared with 18% in the November to December 2022 period.

Among adults taking prescription medication and paying for it, 10% reported taking less to save on costs 💊

More likely to say this included those:

▪️ aged 16 to 29 (24%)
▪️ economically inactive, not retired (20%)
▪️ experiencing moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (19%)

19% of adults said they needed to contact a GP practice but decided not to. Those more likely to say this included:

▪️ those experiencing moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (37%)
▪️ those in the most deprived areas in England (30%)
▪️ women (23%)

Among those who decided not to contact their GP practice, the most common reasons were:

📅 thinking the wait for an appointment would be too long (56%)
📞 being unable to contact their GP practice at the times required (26%)
🏥 being worried about the burden on the NHS (24%)

The most common actions adults took after deciding not to contact their GP practice were:

▪️ managing the condition themselves (57%)
▪️ seeking advice on the internet (22%)
▪️ seeing a pharmacist (14%)

➡️ ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulati…