London, April 27 (RHC)-- A British charity says as many as 1.25 million people lived in a state of “destitution” across the United Kingdom last year.  The British research and development charity Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) released the figure in a report, British newspaper Metro reported on Wednesday.

According to the charity, a person would be described as being in the state of “destitution” if he or she had to forgo two or more basic essentials in one month, lacked housing or had one without heating, lighting or water, went without decent nutrition or with none at all, or was unable to afford clothing.

Four out of every five people among the “destitute” population, which tended to include young people, were born in the UK.  The charity listed the most common causes of penury as ill health, disability, housing costs, and bills. It also named other sources as unemployment and a financial shock like a benefit sanction or delay.