One in five households in Scotland have reported going cold or hungry because they can no longer afford the essentials, according to new research.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found people were forced to spend less on food and heating and were skipping meals.

Challenge Poverty Week starts today with campaigning to highlight the scale of the problem and calls for governments to act to eradicate it.

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In the report, Glasgow woman Grace said: “I’ve had to reduce food intake, we make one meal for everyone. You take what you need and no more.

“We cannot waste one drop. I check the bin and plates to make sure no one is leaving any food.”

Laura, also from the city, stated: “When I think of the hike in the gas and electricity it terrifies me, and thinking of my children coming home getting cold and needing to wrap up gives me anxiety thinking about it.”

The researchers found on “the essentials” people reported reduced spending on food for adults and reduced spending on food for children.  

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It also discovered people have changed the type of food their household buys, heated their home less than they needed to/less often, they have not replaced clothing that is outgrown or worn, and had skipped or cut down the size of a meal.

On “the basics” it found people had reduced spending on transport and changed the way they cook, for example used the oven less.

They used appliances - including washing machines, dishwashers and microwaves - less often and reduced the number of showers or baths taken in their house.

Many have not replaced broken items, and have stopped or reduced socialising with friends and family.

Also, parents have taken children out of nursery or childminding and reduced spending on their children’s activities and hobbies.

The report stated: “This cost-of-living crisis is not just caused by increasing costs. The incomes of low-income households have been intentionally reduced by a decade of reductions in social security support, leaving households at the mercy of rising energy bills and wider inflation.

“A fact now brought into stark contrast by a recent budget that cut taxes for some of the most wealthy people in society. Without further Government support, this winter and 2023 will be etched into the memories of families across Scotland. Deep scars will be caused by hunger, cold and trauma."

The JRF called on governments to provide "immediate action to protect low-income households from the unaffordable costs in the coming months”.