Three national reports this autumn tell a story we recognise every day in Luton: the scale of need, the pressure this winter brings, and the evidence that community-led solutions work.

Right to Food: a roadmap to end hunger by 2035

The Right To Food UK Commission, set up by Ian Byrne MP, published its final report on 29 September: A Roadmap to Delivering Food Security to All by 2035. It drew on expert evidence and hundreds of community sessions with people who have lived with food insecurity.
The findings are sobering. Acute food insecurity now affects more than 14 million people in the UK (Trussell, 2026), and the number is still rising. People told the Commission that hunger is not just about food prices. It is part of a wider cost-of-living crisis that will deepen without urgent government action.
That matches what we see. Families come to us because of rent, energy bills, debt and benefit gaps, not just the price of food.

Read the report

Fuel poverty: a hard winter ahead

Child Poverty Action Group has published new analysis of who is in fuel poverty this October. It looks at households spending more than 10% or 20% of their income, after housing costs, on fuel.

CPAG estimates that this October, around 1 in 10 UK households are spending more than a fifth of their income on fuel after paying for housing. Families with children are hit hardest: more than 4 in 10 households with children (about 2.9 million) are spending over 10% of their income on fuel, and around 914,000 are spending over 20%.

CPAG’s research consistently shows that families with children face a higher risk, with large families and single parents the most likely to struggle. Many of the families we support are choosing between heating and eating. If you’re worried about energy costs, ask our advisors to check what support you’re entitled to.

Getting through winter: tips and support

Read CPAG’s analysis

Affordable food clubs: evidence that they work

A new Affordable Food Alliance has launched, bringing together Feeding Britain, Church Action on Poverty (Your Local Pantry), Community Shop, The Bread and Butter Thing, Family Action, and others.

Its report, Good Food In Every Postcode, surveyed more than 4,000 members of pantries and affordable food clubs, finding that:

• • 77% feel closer to their community
  • 75% feel less stressed about affording food
  • 72% can afford more balanced meals, and 67% eat more fresh fruit and veg
  • 74% have accessed extra support, such as advice or activities
  • 63% of former food bank users have reduced or stopped needing a food bank

The Government has also announced £10 million for its Good Food Neighbourhoods programme. This is exactly the thinking behind our Food Club. Feeding Britain, whose director Andrew Forsey spoke at our launch, is a founding member of the Alliance.

Read the report