B1268 words1:31News Report British AccentPublished May 18, 2026 · Updated May 18, 2026

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Rising Prices Are the Biggest Money Worry for British Households, Survey Shows

Rising prices have become the biggest financial worry for households across the United Kingdom.

A new consumer confidence survey from S&P Global found that people are increasingly gloomy about their money situation.

The survey was published before official inflation figures, which were expected to show that prices are still rising quickly.

The survey uses a consumer sentiment index to measure how people feel about their finances.

The index dropped to 42.1 in May, down from 42.3 in April.

This is the lowest level since July 2023, when inflation in the UK was very high because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The index tracks how people feel about their spending, savings, debt, and employment.

Higher fuel prices are one major reason for the growing money worries.

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The strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route, has been closed because of the conflict in the Middle East.

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This has pushed fuel prices higher, and many people now fear that interest rates could rise as a result.

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Higher interest rates would make it more expensive for households to pay back loans and mortgages.

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The survey also found that British households have seen a large drop in their savings.

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Savings fell at the fastest pace since July 2023.

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High energy prices and related costs have put serious pressure on household budgets.

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Maryam Baluch, an economist at S&P Global, said that inflation worries have taken centre stage.

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She added that the rising cost of living is eating into savings at a rate that has not been seen for a long time.

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Rising prices are Britons’ biggest money worry as inflation stays high, survey finds

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