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# Cost-of-living crisis: More than half of West Midlanders cutting back on food purchases
- URL: https://www.birminghameastside.co.uk/cost-of-living-crisis-more-than-half-of-west-midlanders-cutting-back-on-food-purchases/
- Published: 2023-12-07T13:28:50.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-14T09:58:45.000Z
- Author: Warren Menezes
- Tags: Data, News, #Migrated-1786701253228, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-14 09:54

The West Midlands has witnessed a significant proportion of people cutting back on food purchases across the United Kingdom, new data has [revealed](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/impact-of-increased-cost-of-living-on-adults-across-great-britain?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk#full-publication-update-history).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that 52% of adults living in the West Midlands opted to buy less food when shopping due to the cost-of-living crisis. The *Impact of increased cost of living on adults across Great Britain* study published Monday was conducted from 12 July to 1 October 2023\. It surveyed persons aged 16 years and over living in Great Britain.

The study also revealed that 46% of residents reported that their shopping habits did not change, while a small minority stated that they bought more food.

### Cost-of-living, NHS among key issues

A majority of West Midlanders felt that the cost-of-living and the NHS crisis were some of the important issues that the UK is facing today.

While 90% believed that the cost-of-living crisis is a key issue, as much as 85% thought that the NHS was just as important. The respondents were able to choose more than one option in the survey.

75% of the same respondents also had the economy as a major problem.