Wealth & Finance International - Q1 2022 5 57% Of Brits Experience Financial Difficulties, The Ukrainian Crisis Is Making An Already Desperate Situation Worse Research by KIS Finance has revealed that as a direct result of the rising cost of living, (57%) of Brits are either already struggling financially, or expect to do so in the very near future. With inflation jumping to 5.5%, its highest level in almost 30 years, increasing numbers are already finding it difficult to make ends meet. But things look set to become even more challenging as the full impact of the Ukrainian crisis in the UK unfolds. As petrol prices today hit an all-time high, alongside the rising costs of heating our homes and the threat of cyber-attacks from Russia, the situation in the Ukraine is likely to intensify the cost of living crisis here in the UK. KIS Finance’s research found: • 27% are already struggling financially as direct result of the rising cost of living. • 3 0% anticipate financial problems in the very near future as the impact of rising prices bites. • 35.5% of 18 – 24 year olds report they are already financially struggling. • 36% of over 55’s are worried that the financial pinch will hit them shortly as prices continue to rise. • The South East is the area most affected to date, with 30% already struggling financially. • 22% of 18 – 34 year olds have had to take on an additional job since the Pandemic A third fear that the worst is still to come Nearly a third of people reported genuine concern that rising prices and the increasing cost of living will have a negative impact on their lives in the very near future. Whilst some have been able to make use of savings built up over lock down to help meet increasing costs, this temporary buffer won’t last for long and the impact of a permanently higher cost of living is a real worry for many. As energy prices soar, pushing up both the direct cost for heating and powering our homes, and the indirect cost of other goods and services, the impact on household budgets is one that few can ignore. Whilst the UK only relies on Russia for around 3% of its gas supply, it’s the global market that determines the wholesale gas price. So any shortage in supply from Russia to the rest of Europe will still have a knock on effect on prices here in the UK. Average electric and gas bills are already expected to hit £2,000 a year when the Government’s price cap is raised in April but the events in the Ukraine could see this rise even further. Similarly petrol prices have been rising for some time, but have now hit an all-time high of £149.30, with industry experts predicting that prices could soon reach £1.50 per litre. With Russia’s position as the second largest exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia, fears are increasing that their control over the world’s oil supply will have a significant impact on petrol prices here at home. Over a quarter of people are already struggling financially As the impact of rising inflation starts to really bite, over a quarter of those surveyed report struggling to make ends meet. With real wages in the UK predicted to be lower by 2026 than they were even during the credit crunch in 2008, this worrying trend looks set to remain for some time. Whilst some inflation is needed to keep the economy running smoothly, the current rate is over double the ideal level of 2% that the Bank of England aims to maintain. With increases to around 7% being predicted, a rising number of people are struggling to get by. The decision by the Bank of England in February to increase interest rates to 0.5% has put further pressure on stretched household budgets, as mortgage and loan repayments increase. However, in recent days the Bank of England has warned that further interest rate hikes are likely, linked to the current global uncertainty and the need to try to control inflation here in the UK. Homelessness on the increase Recent data from the charity Crisis has found that the current pressures on the cost of living could see homelessness increase by as much as a third compared to pre-pandemic levels. Local Councils have predicted that evictions from privately rented houses are likely to increase by a further 79% in the coming months, as people struggle to make ends meet. 70% have seen wages stagnate or fall Whilst inflation is normally linked to wage increases and a growing economy, research by KIS has found that only 30% of people reported a rise in pay since before the pandemic, whilst 70% have seen their wages either stagnate or fall. Therefore it’s not been an increase in non-essential spending that has driven the current rise in the cost of living and the announcement that interest rates are rising will do little to help reduce these inflationary pressures. Instead higher interest rates will add an additional cost burden onto those with variable rate mortgages at a time when they can least afford it. Young people hit the hardest by rising costs Over 35% of those aged 18 to 24 are reporting that they are already struggling to get by financially. Research by the think tank Demos, has found that young people are currently the hardest hit and face the ‘greatest uphill battle’ to make ends meet. With potentially higher levels of debt and lower incomes, it’s this generation that may find it the hardest to take on additional expenses as cost rise. As their expenditure increases on day to day living, their ability to save is likely to be hard hit. For many this will mean that the dream of saving a deposit to get onto the property ladder will now be even less of a reality than before, especially if interest rates continue to rise as predicted. Costs rise as salaries fall 24% of those aged between 18 and 34 have reported a fall in their wages compared to before the pandemic. With many younger people employed in the sectors greatest hit over the last 2 years, including hospitality and retail, it’s not surprising that they have seen their incomes fall, either as a direct result of a wage cut or due to a reduction in their hours. Sat alongside increasing costs for food, fuel and other essentials the impact for young people can’t be under-estimated.
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