THE number of people buying less food due to the cost-of-living crisis has dramatically soared over the past month, according to damning new figures.

The latest survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that 41 per cent of adults reported cutting back on their grocery shop due to the rising costs.

The figure, taken between April 27 and May 8, is an increase on the 39 per cent in the previous survey carried out in April.