Rising energy prices the ‘biggest threat’ to household finances, says YouGov poll

Rising energy prices are the 'biggest threat' to UK household finances, according to a survey by YouGov.

The Household Economic Activity Tracker (HEAT) found that UK consumers are more worried about rising energy prices than unemployment, inflation and taxes.

In the poll, consumers were asked to rate six economic measures – unemployment, energy prices, inflation, taxes, state benefits, and interest rates – out of ten, with 1 meaning a major benefit, and ten a major threat to their standard of living. Rising energy prices scored 7.8, beating unemployment (7.4) and rising inflation (6.9) as the major financial worry.

Joe Twyman, YouGov director of political and social research, said the result of the poll was “a reflection of the fact that the rise in energy prices this winter is something that is going to affect everyone.”