I admit I used a foodbank, Un the North-east coastal area, and they supplied for 2 adults. I had to give my name, and was really nice to them, and thanked them in advance for thier help, because I really needed it. The food was wonderful. I thanked the lady profusely who came out with it in a shopping trolley. Then, she went back and got me frozen chicken and frozen mince - here have that as well, she said to me, you're nice lady.(wasn't supposed to give it to me)She told me, many people complain about what they are given. I was so grateful. I thought all of the stuff was a godsend, and I really made it last!

Used to have happy conversations with neighbours. Now, it’s all about cost of living, ele bill etc. Even working in full time people are still struggling. No more savings for emergency use.

£5.00 for a toothpaste. Are we all living in the same country.

Our government and mainstream media are happy to talk about anything but not the cost of living or energy prices while energy companies are making billions .

I’m Canadian & 2 years ago we visited family in the UK. Even then, before the “cost-of-living crisis”, everything there seemed to cost double and their salaries for equivalent work was so much lower. I can’t imagine living there today. It’s really sad.

It's really hard to see this as a British person, but it needs to be seen and things have got to change. It's crazy!

In 2005, I worked with a teacher who was given the job of a school store. The cost of petrol had gone up so much that parents did not have the money to get supplies for their children. Our mission was to sell supplies as cheaply as we could find them. The teacher was incredible at finding sales and deals. Even selling below average stores price. The school store made a profit that was then used by the principal to help low income students in need. At the end of the school year we have a locker clean out day. Students from wealthier homes throw away new and slightly used items. No garbage went in the trash can at locker clean out. She and I went from hallway to hallway, floor to floor collecting school supplies, many brand new in the package. Some we sold the next year, others were put out at the beginning of the next school year for teachers to give to students without pencils/paper. When we were trashing picking with gloves, we got judgmental looks til they saw carts full of supplies. 2 yrs later they implemented a recycling program for students to donate supplies during locker clean out. It decreased the trash by about 50% and saved teachers frustration and money.

20 years ago Britain had one of the strongest economies in the western world. This is what 13 years of Tory rule looks like.

Stopped watching when the woman said toothpaste costs £5. It costs 55p in Lidl. Toothbrushes are around 20p. There's no excuse to ignore your kids dental hygeine.

Maybe British people should learn with the french how to stand for them selfs and stop to band over for whatever British gov and big corporations tell them to do and stop just moaning about life.

My mothers family left Northampton to emigrate to Canada in 1911. I am so grateful that they did. Our family has never been wealthy by any stretch but at least we have apartments, some medical care and basic food. Shame on the UK government for putting their citizens in such an awful situation.

As someone who lived through unemployment in the Thatcher era I'd like to share something that helped me a lot. Shop at Asian supermarkets! They are incredibly cheap! Learn to cook simple meals like dahl and rice. Buy huge packs of poppadoms. It's a meal for pennies.

Most times it amazes me greatly how I moved from an average lifestyle to earning over $63k per month, Utter shock is the word. I have understood a lot in the past few years that there are lots of opportunities in the financial market. The only thing is to know where to invest.

I hope the Royal family is watching this... See how their subjects are living.

I found it strange in the UK that so many people don't have the space to grow food in their gardens, that it's considered a privilege to get to the top of a 2 year waitlist for an allotment in their communities!

it is pretty depressing seeing the comment section deciding to focus on one detail about purchasing a tube of toothpaste instead of the bigger picture of what people are going through with the cost of living crisis.

Living in the UK myself !!! Man the country is going in a very bad direction !!

I wish I was mega rich like gates or musk , I could help so many people that are struggling, I would make sure there were no uk homeless and people could feed their children . We are being ripped off by utility companies .

The English will continue to vote conservative. There are none so blind as those who refuse to see.

Here in Ontario Canada you try and drop off food at a food bank and someone comes out to your car and removes all the food they won't take. Yes, you heard me right, there are types of food the food bank will not accept. Figure that out.

I know it's TV but I subscribe to BritBox for my fave shows Coronation Street & EastEnders! I like how the economic struggles are woven into the storylines! I have noticed most of the character are struggling but no one cooks, go out to eat and are in the pub a lot.

Depressing state indeed.

What i did notice about life in the uk that a lot of homes are not properly insulated and many senior citizens sleep and live in the sitting room to keep warm in the winter months

Toothpaste retailing at £5 , what world does she live in ? £1 -£2 max

When Poundland has to re-brand to Twopundland

Make comparison with the Royal household, please. How do they live lavishly? We love to know it.

£5 for a toothpaste? It's less than £1 in the supermarket. No wonder people are struggling if they're buying designer toothpaste. Most people 'struggling' I know have either had too many kids they cant afford or who are making obvious poor financial choices. Me and my partner live in London and life is fine for us. We have babified the nation, imported cheap labour and normalised living beyond our means. Of course some people will struggle (marriage break ups, partners death, disability, job loss etc) but if we weren't spending so much money on able bodied families making poor choices, we could actually support those in need a lot better.

Prior to the Ukraine crisis, Europe and the UK were highly dependent on Russian gas and energy. Russia is the largest supplier of natural gas to both Europe and the UK, providing over 30% of Europe's total gas needs. The dependency on Russian gas has been a major concern for many European countries due to political tensions between Russia and Western countries. Some politicians have called for diversification of energy sources as a means of reducing dependence on Russia. However, diversification can be challenging and expensive because it requires investment in new infrastructure and alternative forms of energy production.

My local food bank is a wonderful place with nice people and great food. These places work backwards and forwards to serve the public that they serve. Its nice to see toothpaste and toothbrushes for those who need them.

£250 worse off after 10 years? I think it would be alot worse than this estimate.

Im not a big believer of changing governments solving the problem magically but its been astonishing how long the people in the UK put up with the Tories. Dont get me wrong, people like Boris Johnson or Liz Truss seemed kinda funny to me from abroad but not if they were in charge in my country.

This is a lesson for the whole of Europe as to why they should not leave the EU. Thank you for sharing.

I stopped going anywhere. Once a month I drive my 20 year cars a trip around the neighborhood. To keep them oiled up. My husband gets everything on the way from work. U can do it, but it's no fun.

PS I Blame the British people for doing nothing to stop this over the last 40 years..

Sad sad

healthy food like onions, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, water, fruit tea etc. is not expensive but it takes some cooking skills to produce tasty meals from these ingredients. Using foodbanks is totally ok. I do not know where there is a problem. The government cannot fix everything.

Who's paying £5 for toothpaste! It's 89p where I live in Scotland.

A five pound TOOTHBRUSH?!?! Hopefully, there are pound shop bargains where a four pack costs a pound. EDIT: Phew, I misheard. It was five pound brand-name toothpaste.

" Cambridge is the UK’s most unequal city." Have you seen Birmingham? from star city to sparkhill. that's inequality

I would love to grow my own food but I can't afford a house with garden 😅

Children should not be going hungry

It's the careful and responsible people who are suffering the most in this country

5 pounds for that tooth paste its £2 in supermarket I live in Manchester no food shortages at all markets are full to the brim with food deals have started to appear in the super markets just bought 60 extra large eggs for £12 from the farm shop free range

A very small garden can produce enough veggies for a healthy summer. I have a row of lettuce, radishes, beets, green beans, swiss chard. Two tomato plants, and cucumber. There is rhubarb, some herbs, chives. Some people here are growing potatoes by putting soil in large plastic bags on their porches.

Great journalism thanks

Is it really £5 for Colgate total

Heartbreaking ❤

It's really bad situation in Glasgow also.

You can’t deny that inflation is eroding spending but at the same time there are loads of people with plenty of money. This is affecting people differently. The UK has been pretending to be a rich country for a long time and the truth is we aren’t. It’s all been based on credit and rising house prices. Now the shows come to an end.

The poverty in the Uk is trully astounding under the torys thanks for highlighting your report were poorer every year with them in charge.

In the uk walmart bought out Asda, since then the prices increase every year, they then started to talk to with other big chains and now there is no competition, they all now do the same, so people went to smaller companies to buy items cheaper, now they bought them too! It's all corporate greed... Thats why we are in a living crisis... They make billions, just like the energy crisis. When is enough money enough?

However, achieving an equal economic system may require significant changes in the current political and social structures. Additionally, it may also require a shift in societal values towards greater equality and fairness.

The French fight for their rights we British just roll over and take it

What actually is going to happen when there are no teachers, nurses or critical workers? It is so sad that these intelligent, committed, hardworking individuals are suffering so much. In some cases you could argue that people’s life choices have made them poor ie, those who have had kids without having a job or proper father figure but this is not the case here. These are families with two parents working to try to support themselves. You would expect if you had no father to support the family that you would struggle and rightfully so because if this was encouraged then everyone would do it and try to get an easy ride. Or if migrants come into the country and try to get a free life from the taxpayer without having ever contributed themselves. However, it is just awful when you see families trying to raise their kids properly in a two-income family who are struggling and having to use food banks.

I agree, I live in London the most expensive city. Everything is ridiculous expensive. On the average salary in this city you can’t even afford to rent a house by yourself, you have to flatshare.

Will be fascinating to see if King Charles treats Rishi Sunak a bit like The Queen apparently dealt with Thatcher! I predict that the Commonwealth will be invested in and those food sources will burst the bubbles of local suppliers to bring affordability. There's also talk of plans for Africa, Australia,Middle-East to export energy from the sun. Just don't ask how that's done. I'm not the Professor in Simpsons/Futurama!

5 pounds for a small toothpaste ?????????

There aren’t many countries that do not have cost of living pressures. There seems to be a lot of Britain ‘bashing’. As the presenter is Australian, why not focus on Australia’s problems housing, inflation and inequality? By the way Britain’s currency is not the euro.

Hello I am a woman with a big scarf who likes to pronounce my words slowly with hand gestures 😂

£5 for toothpaste? Is there not an Aldi, Lidl, Home Bargains or B&M in cambridge?

Food banks…. But so many do not give up cigarettes and drink .

Effective control of the United kingdoms borders would ensure more resources could be used to assist the indigenous population in need.

while using population level stats to make a point, I hope we never forget that this is also a difficulty faced by individuals of all ages and genders. It is more personal than stats.

Just for context. I’ve seen people in their ‘range rovers’ collecting food from these banks. If they can afford to buy and run one of these gas guzzlers they can afford their food. I get that there are people who need a helping hand but for many people this is just something for nothing.

OK Costs of food has gone up due to production costs and delivery issues, maybe even weather. But why has electricity gone up? Same old power stations, same government regulations - so why?

There has always been food banks in the UK. It's not just sprung up out of nowhere...

6.57 She takes a packed lunch into a restaurant. Smart lady!😂😂

Tesco is the worst supermarket for hiking prices

This is heart breaking to see how the once mighty British Empire is reduced to a tiny island 1/4 the size of CALIFORNIA and is full of extreme poverty...... very sas

missis goggins wanted her par cells delivering to ingledale through thomson yard after a quick stop at green dale 🤣🤣

They care more about Ukraine than they're own people 😢😢😢😢

I wonder why this is happening: our self sustaining and agricultural communities are destroyed. Why cant we build a house and live in it? Why live on a boat?

There are 3 million people using food banks in the U.K. and 3.5 million using them in France.

They don't care less with the Tory's and that's a fact.

unbelievable. price gouging on electric/fuel?

Labour party will not change things. Without economic income of the population usually fall. New unbacked money will only increase inflation. New inflated prices will lead to more poverty.

Is that 1st woman's Anna husband/partner not paying spousal support or child support. Who else has inheritance..

All the comments blaming it on the citizens of britain for getting this bad, what are your suggestions to stop it?

The British are seriously getting ripped off. 5 Pounds for a tube of toothpaste?? For that money I expect my teeth to be visible from space the way it shines.

Why do I have to buy similar home for double price in Cambridge .I could buy higher quality flat in Ipswich 60min travel by train .Everywhere there are rich and poor.I know that Cambridge voted to stay in the EU overwhelmingly .

The intro is exremely hard to watch.. cheers

Brexit was an additional problem

Toothpaste to expensive 😂😂 no problem affording Sky TV, mobile phones , run a car , unhealthy snacks .

Just so sad

Who spends £5 on toothpaste? You can get a big tube from Aldi / Lidl for £0.79

Very revealing insights..the situation is not going to get any better unless the Government steps up 😮

Why don't you people demand that the ROYAL FAMILY contribute some of their vast wealth??????

The healthiest food is actually the cheapest to produce so why is there a shortage. At this point unless there is structural reform good luck. Your nurse is going to be growing food in the window pot? Carbon tax and forced scarcity to promote borrowing did this.

This nothing compared to the terrible poverty being endured by the Swiss. Have you tried walking through central Geneva recently? Truly heartbreaking.

9:11 ..The lady was wearing apple watch in the pub. Must be hard to afford food when you money was spent on other priorities.

They should give a medal and a statue to Boris and Nigel this way they can become a idol of veneration to the Brexit lot .

Food bank....offer people free food and then say theres a huge demand 😂 Of course there is..... IT'S FREE !

i myself relied on trussel trust for 2 years after uk relocation and feed my city and sir chuk care coordinator gave me food parcels last week otherwise starvation mode in uk 2023

The Leave voters chose the path of nationalism, English exceptionalism, arrogante, hate for foreigners who used to contribute enormously especially EU people who left the country. They did not want to be an equal partner with the EU, they wanted to prove to the EU they are self sufficient and more superiour and by leaving would make the EU collapse. That's an evil intention which has a price and this is the price.

Did she say Colgate is £5. That's not right.

It's sad because I've seen the fortunate take from the less fortunate with foodbanks and food pantries in my area u have ppl that just get involved on order to take more having keys etc to pantry....and then even ppl giving out the food vouchers are fighting the less fortunate for food VERY CONFUSING then when I've reported this ppl say its lambeth been through some other areas and have experienced fair duties on their side bit some others ppl will not get because others who don't need will take first so they're left with the scraps it's bad I've even had old ppl on my area tell me it's ridiculous how far they come to get nothing 🙄I don't know if this is a hinderence because this doesn't seem a good experience in all for others at all

Time for the ultra rich to pay more.

5£ for a toothbrush? Have you not heard of Poundland??

Let me tell you something .. prices in Romania are probably even higher than here , min wage around 400 euros , no social services support like here ( no housing benefits or other financial help ) no food banks , so pls stop moaning , and go to work , there’s tons of jobs in care ( can work overtime too ) , and stop having kids you can’t afford ! I understand the prices have gone up but there’s no reason why in the uk you should struggle like this .. if foreigners can do it , surely English can do it too .

All these things are also happening here in Australia, So don't think it's Brexit!!