Four out of 10 are now feeling the pinch
Last updated 01:03, Wednesday, 27 August 2008
Four out of 10 people claim financial insecurity is currently their single biggest worry.
The proportion of people who are worried about making ends meet increased to 39 per cent in July, up from just 24 per cent at the end of last year, according to advertising agency Euro RSCG London.
At the same time, 53 per cent of people claimed their finances were one of their top three worries, with the economic downturn and higher taxes also major sources of concern.
But as people become increasingly concerned about the state of their finances, they are less worried about the environment.
Only 18 per cent of people said climate change was one of their top three concerns, down from 31 per cent in December.
People are also far less worried about immigration and the state of the NHS than they were at the end of last year, while the pensions crisis has dropped off their radar altogether.
But despite their diminishing concerns about global warming, 74 per cent said they had changed their behaviour to reduce their impact on the environment during the past year, although 64 per cent admitted this was triggered by a desire to save money.
Russ Lidstone, chief strategy officer at Euro RSCG London, said: “Our research highlights that financial insecurity and making ends meet have become the main priority for Britons from all walks of life.”
Ipsos MORI questioned 1,000 people and held 22 focus groups in July and December.
Nine out of 10 Britons told a separate poll released yesterday that they are making cutbacks to cope with higher living costs.
Turning off lights and other devices using electricity was the top money-saving activity mentioned by the survey of 2,010 people.
People also told online savings provider Kaupthing Edge that they were taking advantage of special offers, using coupons, eating out less often, reducing car use and switching to cheaper toiletries.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
