Whitehawk has worst access to affordable food in Brighton

Whitehawk in Brighton is ranked within the worst ten per cent for food affordability across England in a new study.

Researchers from the University of Leeds and the consumer rights company Which?, created an index ranking areas on how likely they are to need support to access affordable and healthy food.

The index combined factors such as the number of households on low income, proximity to large supermarkets, the number of children on free school meals, and the availability of online deliveries to assess which areas were the most in need of access to healthy, reasonably-priced food.

Twelve areas of Brighton and Hove are in Which?’s list of priority places for food.

One area is in Woodingdean, three are in East Brighton, four in Moulsecoomb and Bevendean, two in Hollingdean and Stanmer and two in Hangleton and Knoll.

The blue dots show areas on Which?'s priority places list (Image: Which?)

But one area of Whitehawk is also ranked in the bottom ten per cent nationally for food support for families.

Michelle Morris, associate professor at the University of Leeds, said: “With so many people in the UK already suffering from food insecurity and the cost-of-living crisis making that much worse, we need to do all that we can to support those most in need to access affordable, healthy and sustainable foods."

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However, the South East region, of which Brighton and Hove is part, had the second best access to affordable food which just seven per cent of areas affected.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We know what a huge problem the cost-of-living crisis is for our residents, particularly people on low incomes.  

“We are committed to offering them as much support as we can. 

“A £2.14 million package of support is in place to help households in hardship through this coming winter.

“We’ve put together a new section on our website full of support and advice to help people with the cost of living crisis.

“We have also sent a leaflet out to all households. This will give residents information about benefits, emergency help, financial advice and help with energy costs. "