Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

One in five British Muslims depend on food banks due to cost of living crisis, study reveals

Around 40 per cent of British Muslims have had to choose between paying one bill at the expense of another in the past year.

One in five British Muslims depend on food banks due to cost of living crisis, study reveals

British Muslim households are struggling to pay bills due to the cost of living crisis and one in five Muslims have been depending on food banks since August last year, according to a study.

The survey of 1, 568 Muslims by Muslim Census has revealed that 50 per cent of Muslims live in poverty in Britain compared to 18 per cent of the wider population.


More than half of British Muslims, it continued, had some trouble paying at least one household expenditure, and a further 65 per cent had to take on debt of some kind to cover daily expenses. .

Urging the authorities to create better finance options for UK Muslims, the study added that 45 per cent of the respondents said they either missed or were late to pay their rent or mortgage at some point in the last year.

Usmaan Mufti, head of research at Muslim Census, said that wages are not maintaining their real value as inflation is rising. Price hike of gas and electricity are creating more troubles.

Mufti pointed out: “The Institute of Fiscal Studies noted that the annual rate of inflation for the poorest percent of households is a quite a bit higher. It’s three percent higher than it is for the richest 10 per cent of households.”

The study, supported by Algbra and the National Zakat Foundation, added that Muslims now rely on their credit cards, utilising an overdraft or a buy now, pay later scheme or having to take out a long-term or pay-day loan.

It added that people in low household incomes and in receipt of benefits, social or council housing disproportionately impacted by the crisis.

Compared to 8 per cent of Muslims with household earnings over $100,000, the crisis had a significant impact (48%) on British Muslims with household incomes between $20,000 and $40,000.

Reports said that Muslim population is disproportionately represented in poorest 10 per cent of households in the UK.

The survey also discovered differences by region and ethnicity, with black, African British Muslims and those residing in the North West being the most adversely affected by growing living expenses.

“The majority of the British Muslim population sits at the intersection of working class, urban and low-income communities. They have less liquidated assets, they have less of an ability to absorb those rising costs, and data suggests half of the Muslim population is in poverty compared to 18% or one out of five of the general population of the UK," Mufti reported to have said.

He believes that current financial institutions should look into possibilities that serve Muslim communities as well as other groups that reject interest-bearing financial goods.

A pilot programme for no interest loans supported by the Treasury was tested earlier this year. With the intention of helping up to 20, 000 people, the No-Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) was expanded to the rest of the UK in September.

More For You

Police officers

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025.

REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less