Two-thirds of Britons worried about affording the essentials this Christmas, poll reveals
A new survey has revealed that two-thirds of Britons are worried about affording essentials this Christmas.
Research by Amnesty International UK and Savanta found that 67 per cent of people are worried they will have to cut back on things like heating and food this winter, as the cost of living continues to impact millions of families in the UK.
As the end of 2025 approaches, rising bills and falling temperatures mean many people will face rising costs as the holiday season approaches.
Concern is particularly high among those aged 35-54; 75 percent of people in this group fear that they will have to cut back on basic foods.
In a blow to the government, the survey also reveals that 69 per cent of people think the government is not doing enough to tackle the cost of living crisis.
The findings will be of interest to Rachel Reeves ahead of Wednesday’s Budget; Tackling the cost of living is one of the Treasury’s top priorities, the chancellor said yesterday.
It is understood that the removal of the two-child benefit limit is likely to be announced at the financial event to reduce child poverty. But the IFS estimate that Ms Reeves will need to raise at least £22bn to shore up the exchequer means this could be the size of the cost of life-focused policies.
The research highlighted by Amnesty International also showed that:
- 27 percent of people worry they won’t be able to heat their homes this winter
- 22 percent are worried about getting into debt
- One in three people (30 percent) in the 35-54 age group are afraid of getting into debt
- Three quarters (75 per cent) of Britons believe poverty is worsening in the UK
Jen Clark, economic, social and cultural rights officer at Amnesty International UK, said: “These horrifying statistics pull back the curtain on widespread poverty in the UK, the fear and insecurity it causes, and how many people are deprived of the daily basic needs we are all entitled to.
“We are often made to feel that poverty or financial insecurity is a personal failing, but when almost one in three people worry they won’t be able to heat their home, the problem is clearly systemic failures resulting from stagnant wages, inadequate social security and skyrocketing prices for basic needs such as food, shelter and energy.
“These findings are troubling for the Government. There is widespread agreement that they were completely unaware and failed to address this critical issue.”
Ms Clark says a “fundamental political reset” is needed, making eradicating poverty “a key priority rather than growth alone”. He adds that the removal of the two-child benefit limit and the benefit cap should be “minimums” in the Budget.
Despite recently stabilized prices, increases in inflation in recent years have caused the cost of living to rise rapidly in the UK.
Latest research from the Trussell Trust has found that 14 million adults are currently going without food because they cannot afford it. Meanwhile, energy debts have more than doubled in the last five years, rising to £4.4bn by the end of June.
Low-income families in the UK are heading for the worst recorded decline in living standards by the next election in 2029, anti-poverty charity Joseph Rowntree Foundation said.
A government spokesman said: “Meeting households’ living costs is this government’s top priority.
“That’s why we’re delivering a £1 billion support package to local councils and extending the £150 Warm Home Discount to support six million vulnerable households.
“On top of this, we are investing £500 million in children’s development, extending free school meals and our Child Poverty Task Force will publish an ambitious strategy to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty.”
