Increasing numbers of people in Wales are cutting back on essentials to meet housing costs, new research has revealed.
Twenty one per cent of 1,000 respondents in a YouGov survey for Shelter Cymru said they had reduced the amount they spend on heating to meet rent or mortgage payments in the last two years
This was up from 14% the previous year, while 28% said they spent less on food because of rent and mortgage costs, up from 23% in 2010.
Director of Shelter Cymru John Puzey said: “These are very disturbing findings and clearly show that a lot of people from all sectors are finding it increasingly difficult to manage the costs of day-to-day living.
“It is one thing to tighten our belts and forego a few luxuries when money is short, but it is quite another thing altogether for people to have to cut back on essentials such as food and heating in order to pay the rent or mortgage.”
The survey also found:
- Just over a fifth (21%) of those responsible for mortgage or rent costs said they had increased their use of credits cards or loans to meet day to day expenses.
- Nearly a quarter (24%) of all Welsh adults said that paying the rent or mortgage were a source of anxiety in their households, rising to 30% of 18-34 year olds and 35% of 35-44 year olds.
- Nineteen per cent said that changes to housing and welfare benefits were a source of anxiety in their households, rising to 29% of those aged 45-54 and 56% of those who were unemployed or not working.
- Of 18-34 year olds, a fifth had reduced spending on heating and 30% had reduced spending on food to meet rent or mortgage payments in the last two years.
- Among those aged 55+, more than a quarter (26%) had cut the amount the spend on heating and 29% had cut their spending on food to meet rent or mortgage payments in the last two years.