The Newshound

One in five UK adults goes without toilet roll or deodorant as hygiene poverty hits working families for the first time

From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026 · last updated 6 October 2026.

Charities The Hygiene Bank and In Kind Direct warn that hygiene poverty has moved beyond its traditional demographic, now hitting working families who describe themselves as "unexpectedly" unable to afford essentials. The crisis is pushing people out of the workforce and fuelling social isolation on a mass scale.

Forty-three per cent of those in hygiene poverty say that inability to afford basic products has led them to cut off contact with friends and family.

Forty-one per cent of those affected say they are experiencing hygiene poverty for the FIRST TIME this year, signalling a dramatic widening of the crisis.

MoreThe SunRising living costs have plunged the UK into a hygiene poverty crisis, research revealsMetroMillions forced to choose between rent and toiletries as hygiene poverty grips UK householdsThe MirrorMillions of Britons 'avoid seeing friends' due to hygiene povertyDimsum DailyMillions in UK skip deodorant and toilet roll as hygiene poverty deepens, survey finds - Dimsum DailyEvening StandardAlmost half of people in hygiene poverty have gone without toilet roll – surveythe-independent.comAlmost half of people in hygiene poverty have gone without toilet roll – survey - the-independent.com
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →