MILLIONS of British households are being forced to skip meals and cut family visits, new research from Which? has revealed.

The advocacy group’s Consumer Insight Tracker, released today, found consumer confidence had fallen to —62 in the month to April 10, the lowest level since the height of the cost-of-living crisis in 2022.

Seventy-two per cent of adults think the economy will worsen over the next year, while fewer than one in 10 think it will improve.

Which? found 85 per cent of adults are now worried about food prices, up from 83 per cent in February.

One in seven households reported going without some foods, while one in 10 – equivalent to three million households – are now skipping meals to keep costs down.

Similarly, 83 per cent of adults are also worried about fuel prices, up from 71 per cent in February.

About one in eight said they had been visiting friends and family less due to driving costs.

In the month to April 10, more than half of households made adjustments to cover essential spending, including cutting back on essentials, using savings, or borrowing.

The number missing a house bill, loan or credit card payment also rose to 7.7 per cent, up from 5.7 per cent at the end of last year.

Which? is calling for urgent policy interventions, including reform of the Healthy Start scheme.

The group’s director of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha said: “Our latest research highlights the deepening strain not only on household finances, but also on people’s physical and social wellbeing as cost-of-living pressures bite.

“Without meaningful interventions, the number of people taking drastic measures is likely to increase.”