More people than ever are struggling to live on their current income – while just a third say they are living comfortably, according to new research.
Rising prices and sluggish pay increases have put many people’s finances under strain in recent years.
A record 26% now say making ends meet is difficult. Before the pandemic, it was 16%.
Two-thirds also say their incomes haven’t kept up with inflation, according to the British Social Attitudes report.
That’s only marginally better than the 70% recorded during the height of the cost of living crisis in 2023.
Frozen tax thresholds also appear to be hitting home, with 61% saying taxes on low earners are too high, while 44% believe middle income earners also pay too much.
Those figures are up nine points and 13 points respectively since 2016.
However, when it comes to the highest earners, 44% believe their taxes are too low.
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Britain’s energy price problem
The report also asked people about the welfare system – a timely insight with Labour MPs currently rebelling over plans to save £5bn from the budget.
It found support for more spending on disability benefits is at a record low of 45%, down from 67% in 2017 – but only 11% think spending should be reduced.
About 29% of those polled think it’s “too easy” for people to get disability benefits -…
