Are political parties really prioritising the cost of living?

If you feel like the cost of living isn’t getting the attention it deserves, you’re not alone. For many people across Britain, rising everyday costs are their biggest concern. 

But there’s a clear gap between what matters most, and what people think matters to political parties.

What Britons are saying

A new YouGov poll of 2,134 adults across Britain carried out in mid-March, shows just how important this issue is:

• 53% of Britons say the cost of living is one of the top issues facing the country
• yet only 9 - 15% believe any major political party sees it as a top priority
• just 10% think the government is handling the cost of living well
• even among 2024 Labour voters, only 35% feel the government is doing a good job
• 4 in 10 people say they’ve struggled at least occasionally to pay for food or energy in the past three months

What parties seem to prioritise

Many are feeling the pressure but don’t feel it’s being matched by political focus.

After the cost of living, people ranked other national concerns as:

• health and the NHS (42%)
• immigration (39%)
• the wider economy, jobs and public finances (30%)

When asked what issues political parties prioritise, only 15% of people think Labour sees the cost of living as a top issue. Other parties fare no better, with just 9 - 13% saying the same about the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens or Reform UK.

How this is affecting you

The impact is real and widespread:

• 42% of people say they struggle at least occasionally to afford food
• 38% say the same about energy bills

These aren’t occasional worries, they’re becoming part of everyday life for millions.

What you can do

If you’re concerned about rising costs, there are a few steps you can take right now:

• Get clarity on your bills – our free household bills calculator can show you how your monthly costs might change, so you’re not caught off guard.
• Plan your budget – our simple budget planner can help you stay in control of your finances.  

• Check for support – check you’re getting all the benefits you’re eligible to claim with our benefits calculator.

You can find a full round-up of what bills and day-to-day expenses are going up in April .