A poll of 6,004 people, conducted by ICM Unlimited for Citizens Advice, has shown that one in seven of people have fallen behind on essential bills – including energy, water, mobile phone and broadband bills, council tax, rent or mortgage payments – the equivalent of seven million people in the UK. Further findings include:
- 28% – twice the UK average – of BAME people are behind on essential bills or rent. This rises to 31% for Black people.
- A quarter (26%) of those with children under 18 in their house are behind on essential bills or rent
- 24% of people who were furloughed have fallen behind on essential bills or rent
