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| Which? poll says many 'borrowing money for food' | Which? poll says many 'borrowing money for food' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| One in five UK households borrowed money or used savings to cover food costs in April, a Which? survey says. | One in five UK households borrowed money or used savings to cover food costs in April, a Which? survey says. |
| It suggests the equivalent of five million households used credit cards, overdrafts or savings to buy food. | It suggests the equivalent of five million households used credit cards, overdrafts or savings to buy food. |
| The consumer group runs a monthly insight tracker survey focused on spending and behaviour - 2,000 people took part in its poll. | The consumer group runs a monthly insight tracker survey focused on spending and behaviour - 2,000 people took part in its poll. |
| Which? executive director Richard Lloyd described the findings as "simply shocking". | |
| The figures come despite official statistics last week showing that personal insolvencies have dropped to their lowest levels in five years. | The figures come despite official statistics last week showing that personal insolvencies have dropped to their lowest levels in five years. |
| Of the households covered by the Which? survey, 43% were headed by people between 30 and 50, and just under half had incomes under £21,000. | |
| The research found that 55% of those using credit to do weekly shopping planned to cut back on food in the coming months, with almost a third saying they had to borrow from friends or family in order to make ends meet. | The research found that 55% of those using credit to do weekly shopping planned to cut back on food in the coming months, with almost a third saying they had to borrow from friends or family in order to make ends meet. |
| The study also found that one quarter of people said that they were living comfortably on their incomes and that more than one third - 36% - felt their finances were under pressure. | The study also found that one quarter of people said that they were living comfortably on their incomes and that more than one third - 36% - felt their finances were under pressure. |
| 'Breaking point' | 'Breaking point' |
| Almost one third - 31% - of those surveyed cut back spending on essentials last month, and they were most likely to be women aged between 30 and 49. | Almost one third - 31% - of those surveyed cut back spending on essentials last month, and they were most likely to be women aged between 30 and 49. |
| Mr Lloyd said: "Our tracker shows that many households are stretched to their financial breaking point, with rising food prices one of the top worries for squeezed consumers. | Mr Lloyd said: "Our tracker shows that many households are stretched to their financial breaking point, with rising food prices one of the top worries for squeezed consumers. |
| "It's simply shocking that so many people need to use savings or credit to pay for essentials like food." | "It's simply shocking that so many people need to use savings or credit to pay for essentials like food." |
| A spokesman for Oxfam said that millions of people were under pressure from a combination of rising prices and stagnant incomes - with their problems added to by cuts to services and safety nets. | A spokesman for Oxfam said that millions of people were under pressure from a combination of rising prices and stagnant incomes - with their problems added to by cuts to services and safety nets. |