Malnutrition hospital admissions nearly double in five years

The Independent reports on a near twofold rise in hospital admissions where malnutrition is identified as an underlying factor. Admissions rose from 3,161 in 2008/09 to 5,499 last year, according to figures released by the health minister Norman Lamb.

'While the data does not include information on the circumstances of each diagnosis,' the paper notes, 'the rise coincides with a dramatic increase in the cost of living, and a spike in demand for charity food hand-outs'.

The full list of figures Mr Lamb released in response to a parliamentary question from Labour MP Jim Cunningham can be viewed here.