Record numbers of people living in very deep poverty in the UK.
Natalie Williams recently spoke with TWR Radio about the newly released UK Poverty 2026 Report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, you can watch the interview HERE or scroll to the bottom for the video .
The report reveals that one in five adults in the UK are living in poverty, while 31% of children are growing up below the poverty line. Most stark of all, 6.8 million people are now living in what JRF describes as very deep poverty - the highest number ever recorded.
Behind these figures are real people and real families, many of whom are struggling to meet even their most basic needs.
What is Very Deep Poverty?
Very deep poverty is defined by the JRF as a household earning below 40% of the median household income.
To make this more tangible, JRF explains that between 2021 and 2024, a couple with two primary-school-aged children living in poverty would have needed around £7,300 extra per year just to reach the poverty line. For families in very deep poverty, the gap was far wider - they would have needed an additional £14,700 a year simply to reach the poverty line. (What is poverty? | Joseph Rowntree Foundation)
This isn’t about poor budgeting or short-term difficulty. It reflects a level of deprivation that forces families into long term difficulty, making choices between heating and eating, struggling to stay clean and dry, or unable to replace worn-out clothes or shoes.
Why churches matter
At Jubilee+, we believe churches are uniquely placed to respond to poverty:
-Most churches are already embedded within a community and are increasingly becoming known as places where people can go to for help.
-Churches are not going anywhere! Churches are often able to provide support on a longer term basis due to being less reliant on funding cycles as many statutory services are.
-Churches can provide holistic support to individuals and families providing relationship, community & belonging that goes beyond projects or handouts.
Watch, read, and respond
The scale of poverty revealed in this report may feel overwhelming. Yet it also reminds us that the church has such an important role to play in responding with both practical support and gospel hope.
To explore these issues in more depth, watch the video below where Natalie Williams reflects on the findings of the UK Poverty 2026 report.
We also encourage you to read the full UK Poverty 2026 report, take time to reflect on what it reveals, and consider what this means for your own context. Find the report here: UK Poverty 2026: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK | Joseph Rowntree Foundation
At Jubilee+, we’re passionate about helping churches grow in mercy, justice, and compassion. If you’d like support, ideas, or encouragement as you seek to respond, we’d love to walk alongside you. Find out how we can partner with you here: www.jubilee-plus.org/partner