People Are Shoplifting Their Way Out of the Cost of Living Crisis | | Sophie K Rosa: "What has the situation come to, where I can't afford butter?" asked John, a father-of-two living in London. In recent months, the arts-sector worker and his partner Anna, a student, have started shoplifting "just over half" of their food, as well as other essentials like school uniforms.
"Both of us shoplifted before, but not loads," said Anna – now, due to the cost of living crisis, she says they are "dependent on it".
Grocery price inflation reached unprecedented highs in March, with the average UK household's annual food spending now £1000 more than it was a year ago. Meanwhile, the UK's three biggest supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda – made £3.2bn in profits in the 2021-22 tax year – a shocking 97% more than in the twelve months before.
Given the dire economic climate, it's no wonder shoplifting is on the rise. Last year, food industry magazine The Grocer reported that shoplifting levels – especially of everyday essentials – were "off the charts", and prices have only climbed since then. Statistics compiled by Kent Police show shoplifting offences rose by 28% in the county last year.
Shoplifters who spoke to Novara Media said the cost of living crisis had pushed them to steal more of life's essentials. "A couple of times I've been on the verge of crying when I go to buy Sainsbury's Basics apple and blackcurrant squash and realise the price has doubled in the past three months," said John. | |  | LONG READ Effective Altruism Is Infiltrating UK Politics and It's Time We Woke Up by Matteo Tiratelli
Founded in Oxford in the early 2010s, the movement has since earned a fanbase of American billionaires who are now pumping money into British politics, Labour in particular, writes Matteo Tiratelli. Read more... |  | REPORT 'This Machine Kills Kids': SUVs Hit With Spray Paint in Bristol by Clare Hymer
Climate activists celebrated after six of the polluting vehicles were targeted with spray paint on Sunday. Read more... | | No paywalls. No ad partnerships. | | | It's thanks people who have chosen to back us that we're able to publish journalism like this. It's because of them that it is - and will always be - free for all to access.
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