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.
6,462 respondents 5 min
Questions
How would you describe your household finances right now?
6462 responses
- Comfortable11%
- Managing22%
- Stretched31%
- Struggling11%
- In crisis25%
In the past six months, have you used any of the following?
6465 responses
- Credit card for essentials20%
- Buy now pay later19%
- Overdraft14%
- Food bank15%
- Borrowed from family or friends17%
- None of these14%
Which essential have you most struggled to afford?
6462 responses
- Food17%
- Energy19%
- Housing costs16%
- Transport16%
- Childcare13%
- None20%
Do you expect your finances to improve over the next 12 months?
6462 responses
- Yes - significantly13%
- Yes - slightly25%
- Stay the same19%
- Get worse18%
- Get much worse26%
What single government action would help your household most?
6462 responses
- Cut energy bills25%
- Cut income tax14%
- Cap rents12%
- Raise the minimum wage16%
- Expand free childcare21%
- Cut fuel duty11%
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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