As the cost of living crisis continues to bite, data indicate that almost one in 10 UK households failed to pay a major bill in the month to 10 November, the highest level recorded since April 2020.
According to the consumer group Which?’s latest “consumer insight tracker” research, published on Monday, 9.8% of the households questioned said they had missed or defaulted on a loan, credit card, housing or household bill payment over the month.
The consumer body said its research suggested that as many as 2.8m households missed a significant bill over that period. It has called on businesses to do more to help their customers who are struggling.
Which? said 57% of those surveyed reported having to make financial adjustments to stay afloat. These included cutting back on essentials, dipping into savings, selling possessions or borrowing in order to cover essential spending.
One in six, or 16%, said they had skipped meals due to high food costs, while 8% had prioritised meals for other family members, mostly likely children.
Rocio Concha, the director of policy and advocacy at Which?, said: “It’s hugely worrying that one in 10 households missed essential payments in a single month. With Christmas and colder weather fast approaching, these pressures on household finances are only likely to worsen in the months to come. Which? is calling on businesses in essential sectors like food, energy and telecoms providers to do everything possible to help customers get a good deal and avoid unnecessary or unfair costs and charges this winter.”
She said supermarkets could help to ease the huge pressure on shoppers – especially families and those on low incomes – by offering affordable budget range essentials in their pricier convenience stores.
The current cold weather will have done little to improve the nation’s personal finances. Last winter the government gave almost every household, regardless of income, £400 off their energy bills. However, the scheme ended in March, leaving many of those on moderate incomes struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills that will average £1,928 a year when the Ofgem price cap is adjusted in January.
In June, the Money Advice Trust said it believed that as many as 5.5 million UK adults were behind on their energy bills – an increase of 2.1 million compared with March 2022. So far, the government has resisted calls by Citizens Advice for a social energy tariff for those on low incomes.
If people are missing or struggling to afford essential payments – such as energy, credit card or mortgage payments – Which? said they should speak to their provider immediately for help.
The Department for Work and Pensions has previously said the cost of living payments “have provided a significant financial boost to millions of households” and were just one part of the record multibillion-pound support package that the government had provided to help with the rising cost of bills.
This included a 10.1% rise to benefits earlier this year, it added.
