Parents are stealing baby formula and groceries from supermarkets in order to support their families during the cost of living crisis, a shocking new report has found.
The cost of buying the cheapest brand of formula milk has risen by 45pc in the last two years, according to First Steps Nutrition. Other noticeable brands have also seen price rises between 17% and 31% during the same period. Ms Murphy said that it was ‘appalling’ that families were being left to feel they had no choice but to resort to such dangerous measures. She added: "All these things that are happening are putting us on the brink of a public health crisis."
"Since last summer, we’ve become significantly busier," Rev Hewitt said. "It’s becoming noticeably busier each and every week. It’s really sad that we have to offer these things, and that people are in need of them, but we’re lucky to be able to offer them to people in need. "I recently had one mum who was really embarrassed that she had run out of baby formula and had to give cow’s milk to her baby," Rev Hewitt added. "Family incomes are just not stretching as far as they need to.
Early Essentials UK is an organisation based in Manchester that provides ‘baby kits’ to struggling families with newborns. The kits will feature a wide range of products, including nappies, towels, change mats, cream, blankets and toys.