Cost of Living: Millions of British Households Still Struggling Despite Wage Growth

New research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals that despite above-inflation wage increases for many workers, millions of British households continue to struggle with rising energy bills, grocery costs and housing expenses. The report, published on Thursday, found that one in four families in the UK was cutting back on food or heating at least once a week, with renters disproportionately affected as private rents in London and major cities remain at historic highs. Campaigners are calling on the government to extend cost-of-living support payments beyond their current planned end date and to accelerate the rollout of additional affordable housing. The government has pointed to recent improvements in real-terms wage growth as evidence that living standards are beginning to recover, though critics say the benefits are not yet reaching the most vulnerable.