People ‘skipping meals and cooking less often’ to cope with rising costs

I can’t afford to buy oil, so I go to bed when it gets cold

Nearly six in 10 (57%) households have had to make adjustments to cover the cost of essentials in the past month, according to Which?

Measures have included cutting back on essentials, borrowing from family and friends, taking out loans or credit cards, dipping into savings or overdrafts, or selling items.

This is a significant increase compared with the 38% who had to make adjustments in May 2021.

Around two million households have missed a housing, bill, credit card or loan payment in the past month, Which? estimated.

It said households on lower incomes in its survey were more likely to have missed a payment.

Many people reported living their lives differently amid price rises.

In response to energy cost increases, a third (32%) said they have used less hot water and one in six (16%) reported eating fewer cooked meals.

More than one in 10 (11%) said they had skipped meals because of rising food prices, 8% had prioritised meals for other family members, and 3% had used a foodbank.

One person told Which?: “I can’t afford to buy food each week, so I am not able to eat a proper meal each day. I can’t afford to buy oil, so I go to bed when it gets cold.”

Another said: “I’m cold, hungry and miserable.”

The findings also indicated there has been a deterioration in consumer trust in energy firms amid the price increases.

Some of this deterioration appears to be linked to direct debits.

Ofgem recently said that robust action will be taken if energy companies are found to have treated consumers unfairly when increasing direct debit payments.

With Ofgem predicting the energy price cap could rise to £2,800 in October, Which? said the UK Government’s decision to give a £400 grant to households as well as an additional one-off £650 payment to those on the lowest incomes will bring some relief to many.

Separate one-off payments of £300 will also be made to pensioner households and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits.