The silent hygiene crisis affecting millions across the UK
4.2 million people in the UK are living in hygiene poverty, a report has found
Last updated 21st May 2024
A hygiene deprivation charity is calling on policymakers to make 'common sense' choices to help the estimated 4.2 million people across the country living in hygiene poverty.
A report published today (Tuesday) by The Hygiene Bank has found the number of adults in the UK who are unable to afford the daily essentials has grown by over a million people since 2022.
In their last report, the figure 3.1 million adults.
People in hygiene poverty are placed in the unenviable position of being forced to choose between playing bills, warming their home, eating a meal or being clean - things many take for granted.
And today's latest report hints at a crisis that is silently growing.
Ruth Brock is CEO of the charity and says we've recreated an issue from Victorian times.
"We have essentially reinvented a Victorian problem that people cannot afford the basic products they need to keep safe and healthy," she said, adding: "it is having the most appalling impact on people's mental health, physical health and well-being."
South West data
In the south west, huge numbers of people are facing hygiene destitution.
- 57% of people living in hygiene poverty had more than one day when they didn’t eat at all, or had only one meal, because you couldn’t afford to buy enough food
- 46% have not been able to dress appropriately for the weather because they didn’t have and were unable to afford suitable shoes or clothes
- 67% were not able to afford to heat their home on more than four days across the month
- 72% has to choose between paying for food and bills and buying toiletries and or/cleaning products
- 58% believe most people living in poverty in the UK today are in the situation because of Government policies or actions
Deprivation leading to desperation
Ms Brock told Greatest Hits Radio that people living in hygiene poverty are being held back by its mental health impacts.
She told us their research found people had avoided work and attending interviews for new jobs.
"It's not just that people are suffering today, they're also avoiding the opportunities they might have to solve their difficulties because of the shame and the embarrassment and the stigma they feel," she said.
Ms Brock called it an 'invisible crisis' and one we shouldn't be talking about in 2024 as everyone deserves to feel clean.
But it's a crisis that's affecting those in full time work, because their salaries don't make ends meet and benefits haven't kept up with the cost of living to support them.
"It's stopping people going and seeing their family and friends. It's as we said, stopping people doing the school run, going to college, like going out and living their day-to-day lives.
"It just isn't right," Ms Brock said.
The crisis is perhaps hitting the most vulnerable in our communities hardest, with one in five people living with a disability or long-term health condition also suffering the effects of hygiene poverty.
Common sense approach needed
Ms Brock says she backs a fellow poverty charity's calls for government support to cover the cost of everyday items.
The Trussell Trust, who support those in food poverty, has been demanding an essentials guarantee, something The Hygiene Bank 'absolutely backs'.
But The Hygiene Bank hasn't stopped there.
Ms Brock said: "We also look at initiatives like the fight for period poverty where there has been some success, the removal of VAT on period products makes a huge amount of sense and has increased people's access to those essentials that they need.
"We've run a similar campaign with one of our brand partners on cutting VAT on toilet roll."
Ms Brock is calling on policymakers, communities and charities to help end hygiene poverty.
"I think that we should judge ourselves as society by the way that we look after the most vulnerable amongst us and that's why my charity is not waiting for our policymakers to take action.
"We are taking action. We are stepping up and I would really call on everyone to help us in that effort."
The Hygiene Bank has many projects across the South West, with donation locations in our area found here.