Half Of UK Adults Struggling With Energy Bills – With Numbers Rising

Almost half of UK adults are finding it difficult to afford their energy bills, rent, or mortgage payments, new figures have shown.

The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a rising percentage of the population is struggling amid the cost of living crisis. [bold, links added]

In September, 45% of adults who paid energy bills were finding it very, or somewhat, difficult to afford them – up from 40% in June.

Some 30% of those paying rent or mortgages reported it as difficult to afford, up from 26% in the same time frame.

The figures were higher in those living with disabilities, with more than half (55%) finding it difficult to afford energy bills and 36% struggling to cope with housing payments (rent or mortgage).

The ONS released an analysis of the proportion of the population affected by the increase in their cost of living and of the characteristics associated with being behind on energy, mortgage, or rental payments, using data from the Opinions and Lifestyle survey.

Last week, the Financial Conduct Authority estimated that 7.8 million people – or six in 10 adults – in the UK were finding it hard to keep up with their bills.

Disabled People Twice As Likely To Be Behind On Housing Bills

Around one in 15 (7%) of disabled adults reported being behind on their energy bills, compared to one in 25 (4%) non-disabled people.

One in 25 (4%) disabled adults reported being behind on their rent or mortgage payments – this was twice as high as their non-disabled counterparts, with one in 50 (2%) behind on housing costs.

Overall, nine in 10 (93%) of those surveyed reported their cost of living had increased compared with a year ago.

A slightly lower percentage (73%) said it had increased in the last month.

Renters And Lower Incomes Are The Hardest Hit

Renters were finding it more difficult than homeowners, with 39% finding it difficult to afford their housing costs – compared to 23% of those with mortgages.

Those who didn’t own homes also found it harder to pay energy costs, with 60% struggling, compared to 43% of homeowners.

And those earning less also find themselves harder hit amid soaring costs and rising inflation.

Around half of those with a personal income of less than £20,000 ($23,101) per year said they found it difficult to afford their energy bills.

This proportion decreased as personal income increased, with around a quarter (23%) of those earning £50,000 or more reporting the same thing.

Similarly, 72% of adults on prepayment meters reported difficulty, compared to 42% of those who pay via direct debts or one-off payments.

It comes as data from the comparison website Uswitch said the energy crisis is pushing more households onto prepayment gas and electricity meters.

It said some 60,000 new meters were installed in the six months to March – reversing a long-term trend of numbers falling.

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