Cost of Living

Cost of Living

Britain has been hit by a cost of living crisis which has seen the costs of everyday essentials such as energy, transport and food rise faster than household incomes.

Cost of Living Crisis - tell LBC your story

* Required fields

Latest Cost of Living News

Due to the conflict between Israel and Iran, there are fears that petrol prices will rise again.

Higher petrol prices could hit in weeks amid soaring global oil prices

The Surrey-based company nonetheless said it sold fewer homes over the first half of its financial year.

Housing market recovering but ‘long way from buoyant’, warns housebuilder

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

A woman using a mobile phone

Shoppers urged by Which? to consider protections when using ‘pay by bank’

A dedicated gardener gently waters her flourishing plants, banner

Millions missing out on water bill support due to 'unmeterable' homes

Despite weaker demand, renters are still facing a limited supply of homes for rent, Zoopla said.

'Still being squeezed': Rent rises slow to four-year low but low-income tenants say crisis far from over

Mortgage scheme helping first-time buyers with small deposits to end in WEEKS

Mortgage scheme helping first-time buyers get on the ladder to end within weeks

Bar staff at work

Jobless rate surges to highest since 2021 while pay growth eases sharply as tax hikes kick in

Boys playing beach cricket

Finance experts suggest ways to teach children good money habits over the summer

Terraced houses in Pier Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, England, UK.

Millions of homeowners could be overpaying on mortgages due to 'dodgy data'

Despite the monthly price drop, property values have increased by more than £7,000 over the last year, Halifax said

Average UK house price slumps by £1,150 month-on-month, new Halifax research reveals

Disabled activists march towards Parliament on March 26, 2025 in London, England.

Thousands of protesters will gather to ‘send message’ to government for ‘targeting poorest’ with spending cuts

Gen Z women in the UK are paid higher than young men - as gender pay gap reverses.

'Symptom of a wider change': Gen Z women in the UK are paid higher than young men - as gender pay gap reverses

The regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), published a report that found travellers face "inconsistent treatment and outcomes" for similar ticketing issues across the railway.

Train firms taking 'disproportionate action' against honest passengers, watchdog warns

A road in Wales

Over-50s ‘benefiting most’ from falls in quoted car insurance prices

House prices could rise due to new mortgage rules.

New mortgage rules could slash deposits for first-time buyers but add £19k to average house prices

Households across the UK can claim up to £300 this June in payments to help with essential costs amid the cost of living crisis.

UK households to get £300 summer cost of living payment from this month

A shopper walking through a supermarket aisle

Calls to legally require supermarkets to reveal ‘shrinkflation’ to customers

From April 1, first-time buyers started paying stamp duty on properties costing more than £300,000.

House sales ‘plunge’ in April as stamp duty deadline ends buyer stampede

London, England, UK. 28th May, 2025. Chief Secretary to the Treasury DARREN JONES is seen in Downing Street. (Credit Image: © Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! Not for Commercial USAGE! Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Live News

Millionaires should not get subsidy for energy bills, says Treasury minister

Renters have seen costs rise twice as fast as people who own their homes outright in the last year, underscoring the growing social divide caused by the housing crisis.

UK renters suffering worst effects of housing crisis, as costs rise twice as fast as homeowners

School pupils queue at hot counter waiting to be served by kitchen staff in school refectory UK

Growing number of pupils missing school because they cannot afford meals, uniforms and trips

A shopper in a supermarket

Grocery price inflation surges to 4.1%

A woman with a shopping trolley full of groceries in a supermarket aisle on May 22, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.

Food prices increase for fourth month in a row as customers warned of ‘more difficult times ahead’

The meal deal, a combination of a sandwich, snack and drink, has been a staple for UK workers for decades.

Best value supermarket meal deals revealed - as cost of lunch deals continues to creep up

With its golden beaches and associations with luxury lifestyles, Sandbanks in Dorset has been identified as Britain's most expensive seaside location

Britain’s most expensive seaside towns and cheaper ‘hidden gems’ revealed

Ms Chapman is campaigning for a cap on how much landlords can raise rent in the UK

Single mother landed with 20% rent increase calls for rent controls

Dogs led the pack, making up £933 million in claims, followed by cats at £232 million, and £61 million for other pets.

Record high £1.23 billion paid out in pet insurance claims in 2024, data reveals

The pound's value against the dollar is at it's highest since February 2022.

Pound hits strongest value against US dollar in three years as travellers urged to exchange cash

Ms Kendall said the scheme would "make sure every young person is earning or learning and gets the chances and choices they deserve to build a better life".

Liz Kendall vows to give young people ‘chances and choices’ for a better life

Rachel Reeves in hi-vis

Tax rises ‘feel inevitable’ after jump in Government borrowing

A piggy bank being held

Some first-time buyers accessing bumper Lifetime Isa deposits of £50,000-plus

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Exclusive
Annette Herfkens was the sole survivor of a crash in 1992

Sole survivor of 1992 plane crash tells of 'fight or flight' response after British national survives Air India disaster

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, yesterday onboard the RNLI Ramsgate Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel.

More than 900 people cross Channel in small boats on Friday

Aftermath of attacks in Israel and Iran

LIVE: Israel says 'Tehran will burn' if strikes continue - as Iran warns UK and US against helping stop missiles

An investigation team inspects the wreckage of Air India flight 171 a day after it crashed in a residential area near the airport

UK investigators arrive in India as tributes pour in for plane crash victims

Iranian missile hits near Israeli Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv

Iran threatens strikes on US, UK and France bases in region if they prevent attacks on Israel

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his shot on the 3rd fairway during the second round of the 125th U.S. Open Golf Championship

Rory McIlroy narrowly survives cut at US Open

Emergency workers walk amid buildings that were damaged after an overnight strike on June 14, 2025 in Ramat Gan, Israel

Three dead and dozens injured after Iran fires retaliatory missiles at Israel

Exclusive
Denis Kopanev, 33, from London, was due to meet his friend Diego in São Paulo on Tuesday but vanished from his Airbnb

‘There’s something very odd about it’: Friends of British tourist missing in Brazil say he was ‘in good spirits’ as they fear he’s been kidnapped
A large police presence met protesters in Portadown town center this evening after a leaflet was shared on social media calling all residents of the Co.Armagh town to march on the homes of so-called Migrant gangs

Petrol bombs thrown at police during fifth night of Northern Ireland disorder

Turin, Italy. 2nd Feb, 2025. The FIFA Club World Cup trophy made by Tiffany on display at half time of the Serie A match at Allianz Stadium, Turin. Picture credit should read: Jonathan Moscrop/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News

2025 Fifa World Club Cup: How to watch as US tournament begins

A poll of 2,000 parents of school-aged children in the UK suggests around one in six (17%) parents rated the toilets at their child’s school as unclean.

'Like a horror movie': One in 10 parents say children avoid school over 'filthy' toilets

On Saturday evening, the annual silent walk will take place in west London to mark eight years since the blaze, followed by the reading of the names of the 72 dead, and speeches by campaigners.

Grenfell community gathers for final anniversary before tower demolition begins

Lord Victor Adebowale, chair of the NHS Confederation, who has slammed racial inequalities in the health service.

‘Black service, not NHS service’: Health leader condemns racial inequalities that failed mother

Kylie Minogue has cancelled a string of upcoming shows.

Kylie Minogue cancels string of upcoming shows as pop icon shares health update

Emma Webber, the mother of Barnaby Webber (left) and Dr Sanjoy Kumar, the father of Grace O'Malley Kumar during a memorial walk to lay flowers in Nottingham, to mark the second anniversary of their murders.

'Cover-ups' and 'mistruths' surrounding care of Nottingham attack killer, Barnaby Webber's mother claims

David Beckham has been awarded a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours.

David Beckham receives knighthood as Strictly hosts and Luke Littler made MBEs in King's Birthday Honours

Latest News

See more Latest News

A protest against proposals for a new Chinese embassy will take place from 2pm at Royal Mint Court, near the capital’s financial district, while pro-Palestinian demonstrators are expected to gather in Parliament Square at the same time.

Demonstrators set to gather for multiple protests against Chinese Embassy and Gaza conflict in London on Saturday
he Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence.

Keir Starmer voices 'grave concerns' over Iran’s nuclear programme in call with Donald Trump
Rapper O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn.

'We are ready for this fight': Kneecap’s legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer
Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Iranian missiles hospitalise scores of Israelis as Tel Aviv bombarded by waves of retaliatory strikes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, visit to the University College London Hospital (UCLH).

NHS to slash waiting lists by sending patients straight to GPs for treatment

Lottie Tomlinson has shared her experience of grief with LBC in hopes to encourage others to open up and seek support.

‘My grief has been a long journey of healing’ - Louis Tomlinson’s sister shares heartbreaking experience with LBC
Former GB News presenter Laurence Fox at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

Laurence Fox faces trial in 2026 accused of encouraging Ulez camera destruction

The Prime Minister has said he has “grave concerns” about Iran’s nuclear programme as he backed Israel ’s right to self defence

Starmer urges restraint as Israel strikes Iran again in escalating Middle East crisis

CCTV footage shows the man sitting on the chair, which immediately bends back into the wall.

Tourist damages crystal-covered 'Van Gogh' chair in Verona museum after climbing on it for photo
Maurizio Cattelan: “America” a solid gold toilet installed on the fourth floor of the Guggenheim museum in New York City. United States of America.

Two men who stole £4.75 million gold toilet from house where Churchill was born jailed for more than six years

The News Explained

See more The News Explained

Crowded Piccadilly Line train at station on London Underground

Piccadilly Line to part-close this weekend for two weeks: Here's what you need to know

Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street

Rishi Sunak facts: Height, wife, children and policies revealed

Big Freeze

Arctic blast sets off government's Cold Weather Payment - but are you eligible for the £25 off energy bills?

Royals

See more Royals

Britain's King Charles III salutes next to Britain's Queen Camilla as they arrive to Horse Guards Parade for the King's Birthday Parade, "Trooping the Colour".

Royals honour India plane crash victims with black armbands at King's birthday Trooping the Colour
Charles, Colonel in Chief of the Coldstream Guards, inspects the regiment during a ceremony to present new Colours to the 1st and 2nd Battalion. (Henry Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

King presents new Colours to Coldstream Guards at Windsor Castle

David Beckham, King Charles III, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet during the King's Foundation Awards ceremony at St James's Palace.

Charles joined by David Beckham and Meryl Streep to celebrate award winners

Highlights & Opinion

See more Highlights & Opinion

c

The last minute rescue of British Steel is not a win. It demonstrates how uncompetitive our nation has become
Cedric Neal, Desmonda Cathabel, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Femi Akinfolarin and Laura Delany, in the Hadestown.

Hadestown: A wonderful West End spectacle with memorable music

President Zelenskyy

Defiant and unrepentant: My meeting with Zelenskyy, writes Andrew Marr

The UK is stuck in a morass of mediocrity triggered by indecisive action over two decades.

The UK is stuck in a morass of mediocrity triggered by indecisive action over two decades

Kanye West recently went on an "antisemitic rampage" on X.

There can be no debate about Kanye West - he clearly hates Jewish people and should be challenged on it
My apprenticeship took me from school leaver to radio producer at 19 - here’s why it’s a path worth exploring

My apprenticeship took me from school leaver to radio producer at 19 - here’s why it’s a path worth exploring
David Lammy and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China is targeting critics on British soil - so why is David Lammy rolling out the red carpet?
Now that Trump has released the classified files on JFK when is the UK going to do the same with Diana and David Kelly?

Now that Trump has released the classified files on JFK when is the UK going to do the same with Diana and David Kelly?
Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Commission makes a safe Bill even safer.

Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Commission makes a safe Bill even safer

Why should alcohol be allowed at the World Cup in Saudi Arabia?

Why should alcohol be allowed at the World Cup in Saudi Arabia?

More Topics

See more More Topics

War in Ukraine

Cost of Living Crisis

UK Strikes

Immigration

Crime & Police

London

NHS

Royal News