Hygiene Poverty Briefing – Spring 2024

Everyone deserves access to life’s essentials to eat, heat and keep clean, however this is not the reality in the UK today. Our second annual hygiene poverty briefing finds that 9.9 million adults in the UK are living in hygiene poverty, almost a million more than in 2023.

Bringing together national polling data alongside stories from our network, our research sheds light on the reality of hygiene poverty in the UK today, how the situation has changed over the last year and the steps that have been taken to ensure no one has to go without.

Read the report here

adults in the UK are living in hygiene poverty

households with children are living in hygiene poverty

of the public believe hygiene products are products that no one should have to go without

What is hygiene poverty?

Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford everyday personal hygiene products many of us take for granted. Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible choice to heat, eat or keep clean on a daily basis.

“The people we support with products are living in poverty and have to make choices of what to prioritise. Hygiene and period products often get pushed back over other priorities such as food and heating. Being able to provide these products eases the strain while our clients are in crisis. Being able to manage their personal hygiene is essential for their mental health. ”

– Mindstars CIC

“The hygiene products have made a difference in peoples lives, some of the parents cannot afford products and when they can they are used sparingly. Having In Kind Direct products on hand has improved their sense of wellbeing and ability to cope, and knowing someone cares increases their self worth.”

– Church of Scotland – Gretna and Surrounding Areas

Find out more

Human Right to Hygiene

Our new report maps the systems behind hygiene poverty, and crucially, outlines a Roadmap to Change with concrete steps we can take to help end hygiene poverty. Every person deserves to feel clean. But for those forced to make the daily decision whether to heat, eat or be clean, this human right is simply beyond their reach.

The Human Right to Hygiene One Year On

Last year, we published our landmark, Human Right to Hygiene report which mapped the systems that drive hygiene poverty and outlined a set of clear steps to tackle hygiene poverty in a Roadmap for Change.  One year later, we wanted to share how we’ve worked to tackle hygiene poverty, the impact we’ve had to-date, and our next steps along our Roadmap for Change. 

Hygiene Poverty is Not a Choice

Every person deserves to wake up and feel clean. But for millions of people in the UK living in hygiene poverty, this human right can feel more like an unattainable luxury.

Not a Choice Campaign – Educational Resources

What is hygiene poverty? Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford everyday personal hygiene products many of us take for granted Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible choice to heat, eat or keep clean.