Record 2.8 million households unable to settle essential bills

MORE people are skipping essential bills as Christmas fast approaches in the middle of the cost-of-living crisis, consumer watchdog Which? warns.

- Emily Braeger

It said 2.8 million households missed or defaulted on essential payments, including those for housing, loans or credit cards, in the month to November 10.

This is the highest level it has recorded since April 2020, suggesting that consumers remain under significant pressure despite inflation falling in recent months.

In October it dropped to its lowest rate in two years - 4.6 per cent, down from 6.7 per cent the month before.

This was largely due to lower energy prices.