UK Poverty in 2026: What It Means for Our Communities in Norfolk

Across Norfolk, many families are working hard yet still struggling to make ends meet. Rising living costs, insecure work and the extra challenges of rural life mean that poverty isn’t always visible - but it is very real. The latest findings from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and highlighted by the Rural Services Network help shine a light on what’s happening, and why it matters to all of us.

The National Picture

Across the UK, around 14.2 million people - more than one in five - are living in poverty (2023/24 data). Poverty is measured as having a household income below 60% of the UK median after housing costs.

More concerning is the depth of hardship:

• 6.8 million people are in very deep poverty; the highest number on record.
• Destitution has more than doubled since 2017, meaning more households cannot afford basic essentials such as food, heating and clothing.
• Around three in ten children are growing up in poverty.

Importantly, poverty is not confined to workless households. Many families in poverty include someone who is in work, showing that employment alone is not always enough to guarantee financial security.

What This Means for Rural Counties Like Norfolk

While the East of England’s overall poverty rate sits slightly below the UK average, regional figures can mask significant local hardship. You can check the level of deprivation in your area here.

In rural counties such as Norfolk, families can face additional pressures:

• Higher transport costs and limited public transport
• Older housing stock that is harder and more expensive to heat
• Seasonal or insecure employment
• Lower average wages in some sectors
• Greater distances to access support services

Because rural poverty is dispersed across villages, coastal communities and market towns, it can be less visible - but no less serious.

For many households here, rising food prices, high energy costs and housing pressures continue to stretch already tight budgets.

Why This Matters to Our Communities

These figures help explain why demand for local support remains high. Behind every statistic are real people; children missing out on opportunities, older residents choosing between heating and eating, and working families struggling despite doing everything “right”.

Without wider changes to wages, housing and social security, poverty rates are unlikely to fall significantly in the coming years. That makes strong local support networks more important than ever.

How Community Action Norfolk Is Supporting Local People

At Community Action Norfolk, we see the reality behind these national figures every day.

We work with communities across Norfolk to:

• Support affordable warmth and fuel advice, helping households manage energy costs
• Strengthen community-led initiatives, including food projects and local resilience schemes
• Help local groups access funding and develop services that respond to local need
• Ensure rural communities have a voice and are not overlooked

Our focus is on practical action - helping communities build resilience while ensuring support reaches those who might otherwise fall through the gaps.

National policy is vital, but local action makes an immediate difference.

So what does this mean?

Poverty in the UK remains widespread, with more than 14 million people affected and record numbers experiencing very deep hardship. Children, working families and rural communities are among those under greatest pressure.

In Norfolk, poverty may be less visible than in urban centres, but the challenges are real, and often intensified by rural living costs and limited access to services.

By combining national awareness with strong local action, we can continue working towards communities where everyone has access to the essentials they need and the opportunity to thrive.