More than 4 million children are living in homes without proper access to food, according to grim new figures.
Analysis for the Food Foundation found that one in four (26%) of households with children experienced food insecurity in September, such as skipping meals, eating less, or going hungry all day.
The situation has worsened in the past six months as cost of living pressures mount - with 2.6 million children living in homes where they struggle to get enough food in April.
Overall, nearly 1 in 5 (18%) households were unable to afford or get food last month - amounting to 9.7 million people. In April the figure was 7.4 million.
Brits who have experienced food insecurity in the past month said they have cooked less, eaten food cold, turned off fridges or washed up using cold water.
Some 58% said they were buying less fruit and 48% said they were reducing the amount of vegetables they buy.
