The findings will make grim reading for Chancellor George Osborne as he puts the finishing touches to his Autumn Statement
Millions of struggling families can only afford to eat by dipping into
savings or racking up credit card debts.
One in five households say their budget failed to cover food and other household bills last month.
The findings will make grim reading for Chancellor George Osborne as he puts the finishing touches to his Autumn Statement to Parliament on Thursday.
Despite the country seeing the return of economic growth, many families are worse off than before the recession, a cost-of-living survey by consumer group Which? found.
Average wages have grown by just 0.7 per cent in the past three months, but food prices have risen 4.3 per cent and gas and electricity costs have jumped more than 8 per cent.
Which? says people on the lowest incomes have been worst hit, with families earning less than £12,500 a year seeing a 1 per cent year-on-year decline in their spending power.
The watchdog’s consumer insight tracker, published monthly, reveals that rising energy prices remain people’s top concern.
Trust in the power giants is at an all-time low, with three in five customers saying they don’t believe the suppliers act in households’ best interest.
Richard Lloyd, of Which?, said: “Eight in 10 people say it would make a difference to their standard of living if the Government cuts energy bills in the Autumn Statement so we look to the Chancellor to stand up for consumers this week.”
The survey shows people are seeing an improvement in the economy, with half of people saying it is in a poor state compared with seven in 10 a year ago.
But only one in six families think the revival has had a positive impact on their own standard of living.
Mr Lloyd added: “It’s good news for the Chancellor that people are feeling more optimistic about the economy, but times are still tough.”
One in five households say their budget failed to cover food and other household bills last month.
The findings will make grim reading for Chancellor George Osborne as he puts the finishing touches to his Autumn Statement to Parliament on Thursday.
Despite the country seeing the return of economic growth, many families are worse off than before the recession, a cost-of-living survey by consumer group Which? found.
Average wages have grown by just 0.7 per cent in the past three months, but food prices have risen 4.3 per cent and gas and electricity costs have jumped more than 8 per cent.
Which? says people on the lowest incomes have been worst hit, with families earning less than £12,500 a year seeing a 1 per cent year-on-year decline in their spending power.
The watchdog’s consumer insight tracker, published monthly, reveals that rising energy prices remain people’s top concern.
Trust in the power giants is at an all-time low, with three in five customers saying they don’t believe the suppliers act in households’ best interest.
Richard Lloyd, of Which?, said: “Eight in 10 people say it would make a difference to their standard of living if the Government cuts energy bills in the Autumn Statement so we look to the Chancellor to stand up for consumers this week.”
The survey shows people are seeing an improvement in the economy, with half of people saying it is in a poor state compared with seven in 10 a year ago.
But only one in six families think the revival has had a positive impact on their own standard of living.
Mr Lloyd added: “It’s good news for the Chancellor that people are feeling more optimistic about the economy, but times are still tough.”
