Destitution in the UK 2023

This study, the fourth in the Destitution in the UK series, reveals that approximately 3.8 million people experienced destitution in 2022, including around one million children. This is almost twoand-a-half times the number of people in 2017 and nearly triple the number of children. Nearly three-quarters of people experiencing destitution are in receipt of social security payments – further evidence of benefit inadequacy. Ad-hoc support from the Government, first during the Covid-19 pandemic and now to help with the cost of living, has not halted the rising level of destitution. There is an urgent need for action to tackle destitution in the UK.