Three in 10 Brits can't afford home essentials as furniture poverty bites

Three in 10 Brits can't afford home essentials as furniture poverty bites Brits have been forced to go without essential household furniture due to financial constraints, with millions sleeping on floors or eating meals without a table. Three in 10 Brits have gone without essential furniture because they couldn't afford it. Fresh research by DFS surveying 2,000 adults revealed 55% of people have eaten a meal without a table, while 37% have slept on a mattress without a bed frame. The figures also reveal 34% have slept on a sofa because they were unable to afford the furniture they needed, while more than one in five (21%) have been forced to sleep on the floor. Additionally, one in four have carried on using furniture that was broken or unsafe because they couldn't afford replacements. DFS is highlighting the stark reality of furniture poverty for children and families as part of its continuing partnership with BBC Children in Need, serving as its Lead Furniture Partner for Emergency Essentials. Chief people officer for the furniture retailer Cherie Donnelly said: "Furniture poverty is one of those problems that can be happening behind any front door. "What's particularly concerning is how much shame surrounds it: when people feel too embarrassed to tell even their friends and family that they're struggling, it becomes incredibly easy for the problem to remain hidden." The furniture retailer has been working alongside BBC Children in Need since 2013 - raising over £8m during that period. Claire Hoyle, CEO at BBC Children in Need said they are 'incredibly grateful' for DFS' continued support. She added: "Every child deserves to have a home where they can feel safe, secure and comfortable, but sadly we know that isn't the reality for every family." Three quarters of respondents had never encountered the phrase 'furniture poverty' prior to participating in the research, despite one in seven households potentially living without basic necessities such as beds, sofas or dining tables. One in 10 adults have been without a bed at some point, while 15% have gone without a sofa and 21% without a dining table and chairs. More than half (53%) of adults confessed they had never contemplated that some children in the UK might routinely sleep without their own bed. The OnePoll.com research revealed 82% of respondents believe lacking one could impact a child's sleep, while 75% think their mental wellbeing could be compromised and 71% feel their physical health could be affected. More than two thirds (67%) believe it could hinder concentration at school, with others highlighting confidence and self-esteem (58%) and behaviour (57%). The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials programme delivers urgently needed household items to children and families living in furniture poverty across the UK. Whether it's a sofa to bring a family together, a bed to sleep in, a cooker to prepare hot meals, or essential clothing, these items can make a significant difference to a child's daily life and wellbeing. Claire added: "Together, we want to shine a light on furniture poverty and help more families access the everyday essentials that can have such an important impact on a child's life."