The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to the Public opinions and social trends figures for March 2026 released by the Office for National Statistics. Aman Navani - Senior Research and Policy Analyst, Work Foundation at Lancaster University - commented:

“New ONS figures underline growing anxiety among households about global economic shocks as cost of living pressures intensify once again. Two thirds (67%) of adults say their living costs have risen in the past month, with soaring fuel prices and higher energy bills continuing to hit family budgets hardest. Three in four (75%) adults are now concerned about rising fuel prices – doubling in the last month as prices at the pumps put pressure on wallets.

“While inflation has eased from previous peaks, these figures suggest many households are still feeling the pinch of higher day-to-day costs. The rise in fuel prices comes at a time when nominal wage growth has fallen sharply, and private sector workers have seen paltry real wage increases. Low-income and insecure workers have little buffer against rising costs as the impact of the war in the Middle East hits the UK.

“Most worryingly, the data suggests some of the most vulnerable groups in society remain most exposed to the prospect of additional rises in costs or unexpected expenditures during 2026. In particular, more than four in 10 adults living in the most deprived areas of England report they would be unable to afford an unexpected but necessary expense of £850 – compared to just 13% of people living in the least deprived. Those renting (49%) and those unemployed (40%) also feel they’d be unable to afford that kind of unforeseen expense.

“With global uncertainty continuing intensifying and the IMF predicting the UK’s growth will be hit hardest in the G7, the Government must remain on high alert and ready to provide additional support for those who need it most, should conditions deteriorate further.”