InvestmentsJun 24 2022

Britons worried about life goals as cost of living crisis bites

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Britons worried about life goals as cost of living crisis bites
(Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Nearly two thirds of people across the UK are worried that their life goals will be delayed as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Some 64 per cent of UK adults surveyed by Legal & General, equivalent to 33mn of the population, said they are concerned about the future due to the current state of their finances.

Despite this, half of those questioned said they had not sought professional financial guidance.

Of the 48 per cent who have looked for help, the most common place to start is a price comparison website, with one in five turning online for guidance.

Some 15 per cent turned to their family, and 12 per cent sought help from the news.

Just 7 per cent, equivalent to 3.9mn people, have looked for independent financial advice. 

Top 10 ways UK adults have sought advice or guidance

Price comparison websites

19%

Family

15%

News

12%

Friends

10%

Budgeting tools and apps

9%

Independent financial advice

7%

Social media

7%

Government guidance

7%

Independent charities

6%

Educational materials

3%

Source: Legal & General

Opinium surveyed 4,001 UK adults on behalf of Legal and General between May 27 and 31 this year.

Legal & General Retirement Solutions' managing director, Emma Byron, said financial guidance can be helpful for people of all ages to tackle these challenges, but while there are many free resources and support like Moneyhelper and Pension Credit, they are largely under-used. 

She said: “Where people can afford it, independent financial advice can also be invaluable, especially when navigating more complicated financial situations, such as retirement. 

“Seeking the right help now could head off difficulties later down the line.”

UK inflation has overshot the Bank of England's 2 per cent target each month since May last year, rising 9.1 per cent last month.

The consumer prices index rose to 9.1 per cent in the 12 months to May this year, driven by rising prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

sally.hickey@ft.com