More people are struggling to pay their energy bills, new research shows, with half of UK households cutting back on how much food they buy, shows a recent new survey from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
About 46 percent of adults who pay energy bills are finding it very difficult to afford them, shows the survey that was carried out between July 6 and July 17, showing an increase from 43 percent saying the same in the previous two-week period.
Exactly half of all adults said they are buying less in a food shop, with an equal proportion saying they are spending more than usual to do their normal shop.
One in five of those questioned reported borrowing more money or taking out more credit over the last month compared with the same period a year ago, the ONS said, adding that 46 percent said they would not be able to save any money over the next year.
The twice-monthly survey continues to show a deteriorating position for UK households, with the most recent data showing that households now must spend £9.40 more for every £100 they spent a year ago to buy the same things.
The news comes as UK inflation – the measure of how much more expensive things are getting for households – reaches its 40-year high at 9.4 percent as prices soar with the prospect of inflation hitting 12 percent this autumn looming larger.
Food is one of the big factors behind the inflation rate rise, with particularly sharp increases in the cost of milk, eggs and cheese all contributing to a 1.2 percent increase between May and June and a 12-month rise of 9.8 percent.
With the annual energy price cap predicted to rise from just under £2,000 to more than £3,000 in October, analysts warned worst is yet to come.
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