Official
Cost of Living
State of the Nation: Cost of Living 2026
CitizenVoice flagship report. The definitive picture of how UK households are earning, spending and coping in 2026 - tracked across income, essentials, debt and outlook.
4 respondents 5 min
Questions
How would you describe your household finances right now?
4 responses
- Comfortable0%
- Managing0%
- Stretched75%
- Struggling25%
- In crisis0%
In the past six months, have you used any of the following?
7 responses
- Credit card for essentials29%
- Buy now pay later29%
- Overdraft29%
- Food bank14%
- Borrowed from family or friends0%
- None of these0%
Which essential have you most struggled to afford?
4 responses
- Food0%
- Energy0%
- Housing costs100%
- Transport0%
- Childcare0%
- None0%
Do you expect your finances to improve over the next 12 months?
4 responses
- Yes - significantly0%
- Yes - slightly50%
- Stay the same50%
- Get worse0%
- Get much worse0%
What single government action would help your household most?
4 responses
- Cut energy bills50%
- Cut income tax0%
- Cap rents25%
- Raise the minimum wage25%
- Expand free childcare0%
- Cut fuel duty0%
Results summary
Full results →How would you describe your household finances right now?
In the past six months, have you used any of the following?
Which essential have you most struggled to afford?
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