Over the past year, major UK supermarkets have cut their numbers of low-cost and basic price-locked food ranges by as many as 100 lines. At the same time, inflation is at a 40-year high and average food prices have increased by almost 10%, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

The International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) warns that this could spell disaster in months to come, as households across the country are already squeezed amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.  

Reducing access to affordable, nutritious food will not only place added financial pressure on already struggling households but further deepen health inequalities and hamper healthy ageing, says ILC, the UK’s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society. 

Ailsa Forbes, Retail Impact Fellow at ILC, argues: 

“Nutrition is the building block of health and healthy ageing. As more and more households are struggling to put food on the table, it’s simply unacceptable that access to healthy, no-frills ranges is being cut back.” 

“We already know the cost-of-living crisis will have long and lasting impacts on people’s finances, it shouldn’t also cost people their health and deepen health inequalities.” 

“Supermarkets and other retailers have a responsibility to keep us healthy and support healthy ageing. This isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a need-to-have. By 2040, 63p in every pound could be spent by older households, but we know that poor health is one of the key barriers to spending.” 

“In this ever-deepening cost of living crisis, we look to supermarkets to re-instate these sustaining food lines, so that people are not denied nutrition, due to cost and lack of choice.” 

Ends 

Notes 

Contact press@ilcuk.org.uk or +44 (0) 208 638 0832 for press queries. Spokespeople are available for interview. 

Figures on the cut-back of affordable ranges are available from: Sainsbury’s Price Lock range cut by 20% since January – Retail Gazette 

ONS data on inflation and the cost of food is available from Consumer price inflation, UK – Office for National Statistics 

ILC’s work on the economic contributions of older people is available from Maximising the longevity dividend – ILCUK 

To find out more about ILC’s work on engaging retailers around healthy ageing, visit Thrive not just survive – Helping the retail sector support healthy ageing – ILCUK 

About ILC 

The ILC is the UK’s specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society, and what happens next. 

The International Longevity Centre UK was established in 1997 as one of the members of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance, an international network on longevity. 

Since our inception, we have published over 275 reports, organised over 350 events including the annual Future of Ageing conference. 

We work with central government, local government, the private sector, and professional and academic associations to provoke conversations and pioneer solutions for a society where everyone can thrive, regardless of age.