Shock as half of Britain hit by 'hygiene poverty'

ALMOST half the nation has been forced to give up basic essentials like shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant to put food on the table, pay rent or cover medical bills, according to research.

- By Lucy Johnston SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR

A study released today paints a bleak picture of life in modern Britain, with 49% of adults admitting they had gone without hygiene products because they could not afford them.

And 15% of those quizzed said this was a choice they regularly faced.

The survey of 2,000 people also found 38% said they had experienced what campaigners call "hygiene poverty".

The research was commissioned by the Hygiene Bank, which runs more than 170 community projects.