Behaviour change due to rising cost of living

• Behaviour changes due to the rising cost of living are roughly consistent with Wave 6, although the proportions taking each action are often slightly higher (excluding some behaviours like shopping around more and using alternative fuels)
• Higher proportions are spending less on non-essentials, using more credit than usual, working more hours than usual, and claiming benefits

This chart shows:
This chart shows:
In Wave 7, 65% of respondents said they are spending less on non-essentials to help manage their finances.
In Wave 6, 61% said they are spending less on non-essentials.
In Wave 7, 58% of respondents said they are spending less on culture and leisure.
In Wave 6, 57% said they are spending less on culture and leisure.
In Wave 7, 43% of respondents said they are using their savings.
In Wave 6, 42% said they are using their savings.
In Wave 7, 42% of respondents said they are spending less on food shopping and essentials.
In Wave 6, 42% said they are spending less on food shopping and essentials.
In Wave 7, 41% of respondents said they are shopping around more.
In Wave 6, 45% said they are shopping around more.
In Wave 7, 34% of respondents said they are using less fuel at home.
In Wave 6, 37% said they are using less fuel at home.
In Wave 7, 27% of respondents said they are cutting back on non-essential car journeys.
In Wave 6, 26% said they are cutting back on non-essential car journeys.
In Wave 7, 23% of respondents said they are using credit more than usual.
In Wave 6, 19% said they are using credit more than usual.
In Wave 7, 20% of respondents said they are using alternative modes of transport.
In Wave 6, 21% said they are using alternative modes of transport.
In Wave 7, 19% of respondents said they are eating less or missing meals to save money.
In Wave 6, 20% said they are eating less or missing meals to save money.
In Wave 7, 18% of respondents said they are working more hours than usual.
In Wave 6, 14% said they are working more hours than usual.
In Wave 7, 14% of respondents said they are borrowing money from friends or family.
In Wave 6, 13% said they are borrowing money from friends or family.
In Wave 7, 9% of respondents said they are using cash to control spending.
In Wave 6, 11% said they are using cash to control spending.
In Wave 7, 8% of respondents said they are claiming benefits.
In Wave 6, 3% said they are claiming benefits.
In Wave 7, 6% of respondents said they are unable to pay an important bill.
In Wave 6, 4% said they are unable to pay an important bill.
In Wave 7, 2% of respondents said they are using foodbanks or using them more.
In Wave 6, 2% said they are using foodbanks or using them more.
In Wave 7, 1% of respondents said they are claiming free school meals.
In Wave 6, 3% said they are claiming free school meals.
In Wave 7, 2% of respondents selected other.
In Wave 6, 1% selected other.
In Wave 7, 9% of respondents said none of these actions applied.
In Wave 6, 6% said none of these actions applied.

Age

Those aged 45 and older are more likely to be shopping around more (43%-54%) and using less household fuel (39%-41%).

The younger demographics are likely to be spending less on non-essentials, other essentials, and culture and leisure, as well as using their savings.

Those aged 25-44 are more likely to be using more credit than usual (36%-39%).

Housing status

Both private and local authority renters are more likely to be spending less on non-essentials (71%-78%) and culture and leisure (65%-68%).

Private renters are also more likely to be spending less on  shopping and essentials (55%), using their savings (50%), using more credit than usual (44%), borrowing money from friends/ family (30%), and working more hours than usual (27%).

Housing association renters are more likely to be using alternative modes of transport (50%) and eating less or missing meals (49%), as well as using cash to control spending alongside local authority renters (18%-21%).

Household income

Residents with the lowest household income are more likely to be spending less on non-essentials (68%), cutting back on non-essential car journeys (37%), claiming benefits (33%), and using cash to control spending (22%).

They are also least likely to be using credit more than usual (17%) or working more hours than usual (12%) than those with higher household incomes.

Disability

Residents with a disability are more likely to be spending less on non-essentials (70%) and culture and leisure (66%).

They are also more likely to be using their savings (53%), using cash to control spending (18%), and claiming benefits (17%), and much more likely to be eating less or missing meals (37%).

Children in household

Residents with young children are more likely to be changing their behaviour, such as spending less on culture and leisure (77%) and  shopping/ essentials (66%), as well as using their savings (67%), cutting back on non-essential car journeys (39%), and using alternative modes of transport (37%).