Let Them Eat Cake! Poverty, Hunger and the UK State

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the issue of hunger and poverty in the UK. Our particular concern is to explore the extent to which anyone may be said to be in absolute poverty, in terms of not having the resources to eat adequately. The chapter is in four sections. The first reviews the extent and characteristics of poverty in the UK, situating our analysis in a European context where possible. In the second section we examine the role of the British state in deepening and widening poverty in the UK, particularly since the 1979 Thatcher government, and the state’s response to these trends. Third, we look at hunger in the British context, summarizing research on diet, nutrition, health and income. Finally, we review activities of national and local organizations which respond politically and practically to the growing problem of hunger in the UK and conclude by briefly drawing out some implications for future policy.