Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain

Office for National Statistics
Published date: 
Wednesday, 8th July 2020

For the first time, ONS survey asked people their ability to pay household bills and to meet any unexpected expenses, compared to before the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. 

The weekly survey, relating to the period 25 to 28 June, continued to cover regular topics such as personal well-being, the extent to which in work adults are travelling to work and are leaving their homes for various reasons and use of face coverings.

Findings include:

  • Paying the usual household bills is ‘difficult or very difficult’ for 11% of adults, compared to 5% before the outbreak. Asked if their household could afford to pay an unexpected but necessary bill of £850 - 28% said they could not.
  • More than 1 in 10 (11%) adults reported that they have had to borrow more money or use more credit than usual since the coronavirus outbreak.

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