Overview
- The mid-October tracker estimates 14.8 million households made financial adjustments, the highest share reported in 2025 and the most since December 2024.
- Households missing at least one essential payment fell to 5.5% from 7.7% in September, equivalent to about 1.6 million homes.
- Reported measures include cutting back on necessities, dipping into savings, selling possessions or borrowing, with low-income households especially likely to reduce essentials.
- The survey of more than 2,100 people across the UK was conducted from October 17 to 19.
- Outlook split: 20% expect improvement over the next year and 34% expect deterioration, often citing prices, bills, inflation and possible tax rises, and Which? urges those struggling to seek free debt advice and contact providers.