Rising utility bill worries double in two years

RISING utility bills are now the single biggest concern for twice as many UK consumers as they were two years ago, a report has claimed.

Surge in cost of utility bills is No1 concern for consumers. Picture: PA

The top six concerns held by consumers are financial issues, a survey found – with almost a third of people ranking the spiralling cost of energy bills as one of their top two.

The economy was a major issue for 21 per cent of people, followed by rising food prices, debt, job security and rising fuel prices, according to the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions.

“It’s hardly surprising that finances dominate our concerns,” said Chris Morley, Nielsen managing director for UK and Ireland. “Almost one in three UK consumers have no spare cash once they’ve covered their essential living expenses – much higher than the one in five across Europe as a whole.”

Following financial concerns and immigration – reported as a top-two concern by 12 per cent of UK consumers – the next most pressing concerns are dominated by quality of life issues.