Around one in five adults in Britain found it difficult to pay their household bills in the last month compared to a year ago, a survey suggests.
Some 69% of respondents told the Office for National Statistics (ONS) they have been hit by the rising cost of living over the last month.
Price increases for food shopping (89%), gas and electricity (80%) or fuel (68%) were the most common reasons given.
Some 19% of respondents said that, compared to a year ago, they had found it "very difficult or difficult" to pay their usual household bills over the last month.
This rose to more than a quarter (27%) of people aged 30-49, and was lowest among those aged 70 and over (8%).
The ONS noted that there are "strong seasonal spending patterns" relating to gas and electricity that may affect some of the findings.
It analysed responses from 3,441 people aged 16 and over between January 19 and 30 as part of its Opinions and Lifestyle survey.
It found that 17% said they have had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual in the last month, with a quarter (24%) of those aged 30-49 reporting this.
When asked about how the coronavirus pandemic had affected their lives in the last week, 17% said their household finances were being affected.
Millions of households will see their annual energy bills rise to £1,971 this year after regulator Ofgem announced a 54% increase to the cost cap.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said a £350 package of support would be made available to most people to help alleviate the worst effects of the hike.
Critics warned the measures did not go far enough to address the £693 increase to the average energy bill, in addition to other pressures such as soaring food prices.
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