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

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

Estate agents' boards

UK house price growth accelerated as buyers rushed to beat stamp duty deadline

Groceries in a shopping trolley in a supermarket

Examples of where inflation jumped in April – and where it eased

The Bank of England, London, UK

UK inflation rate soars to 3.5% in year to 'Awful April' - driven by sharp rises in household bills

A British Bulldog Sat on a Union Jack Rug

British bulldog considered a 'status symbol' as pet becomes Britain's most expensive dog breed

The class action against Mastercard dates back to 2016

Millions of Brits set to receive £70 each as Mastercard ordered to pay compensation after legal battle

Tesco supermarket logo outside the store on Old Kent Road on 8th May 2024 in London, United Kingdom.

Tesco launches wedding gift basket including bin bags and toilet roll as newlyweds struggle to afford essentials

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks during a reception following the UK-EU summit, in London, Monday May 19, 2025. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Rachel Reeves U-turns on plans to cut ISA limit to £4k

A gas stove lets off a blue flame inside a household kitchen.

Energy price cap to fall by 7% in weeks as millions of UK households set to benefit from lower bills

A close-up of the hands of an elderly person on March 18, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.

Care workers should be given £2,000 pay rise as treatment of workforce a ‘national scandal’ according to report

Food bank demand

Major supermarkets team up for new campaign to fight hunger in the UK

Skyline of Edinburgh at dusk looking East down Royal Mile

This UK destination is the most expensive city break in western Europe

Money can be an ongoing stress for many people, particularly in today’s economy with a cost-of-living crisis, inflation and rising bills.

3 financial experts reveal the money tips they want you to know

New figures show the issue has grown over 50% in two years, as fraudsters pretending to be brokers are increasingly targeting young drivers who face higher premiums.

New drivers warned of ‘ghost brokers’ as fake car insurance scams increase 50% in last 2 years

UK Finance said that, although repossession numbers increased, they remain low compared with the longer-term.

18% quarterly jump in homeowner mortgage repossessions

Water firm United Utilities' profit more than doubled last year before it hit customers with a steep rise in bills in April.

Customers hit with 32% increase in bills after North West water firm’s profit more than doubles

Banknotes and coins on top of a council tax bill

Martin Lewis welcomes plans to consult on fairer council tax debt collection

Households' trust in water companies has fallen to a new low amid a sewage crisis and rising bills, an annual survey has found.

Trust in water companies falls to new low amid sewage crisis and rising bills, survey finds

The ONS said the rate of unemployment rose to 4.5% in the quarter to March, up from 4.4% in the three months to February.

Unemployment rate hits near four-year high amid soaring costs

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Man, 31, arrested after car 'collides with multiple pedestrians' in Leicester city centre

Man, 31, arrested after car 'collides with multiple pedestrians' in Leicester city centre

TOPSHOT-ATHLETICS-OLY-PARIS-2024

Doctors increasingly concerned about rocketing number of British athletes ‘with ADHD’

A British Airways Airbus A321 plane bound for London’s Heathrow Airport takes off from the Belgian capital's Zaventem airport

British Airways cabin crew member found ‘dancing high and naked in business class’ aboard London-bound flight

Two adults and a teenager have died following a single-vehicle collision on the M5 on Friday evening

Two adults and teenager killed in horror M5 motorway crash - as second child fights for life in hospital

President Donald Trump dances after speaking at the U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works-Irvin plant, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Donald Trump doubles tariffs on US steel imports - as president takes swipe at China

Mourad Aid, 41, pleaded guilty to theft after walking off with the couple's suitcase

Thief jailed for stealing Jenson Button's wife's £250,000 jewellery and handbag collection

The scene of the alleged hit and run on Frodsham Street, Rusholme, Greater Manchester

Man arrested following suspected hit-and-run which saw Manchester police sergeant 'reversed into several times'

Police crime scene tape UK

Two men arrested on suspicion of murder after man dies in Devon garden following assault

Relatives and loved ones of the Palestinian civil defense man who lost his life along with his wife mourn their bodies at Al-Awda Hospital as a result of the Israeli bombing of their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on May 25, 2025.

Last working hospital in North Gaza out of service after Israeli military orders evacuation

The immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab has been effective in the treatment of advanced head and neck cancers

Immunotherapy drug 'first breakthrough in 20 years' for head and neck cancer treatment

Display of colourful vapes in a shop window with a variety of fruit flavours, England, UK. Concept: youth vaping, attractive products for children

Disposable vapes banned from Sunday in bid to improve health and cut 'avalanche' of litter

President Donald Trump speaks at the U.S. Steel Mon Valley Works-Irvin plant, Friday, May 30, 2025, in West Mifflin, Pa.

Donald Trump doubles tariffs on steel imported to the US by 50%

EuroMillions - Photo Illustration

Lucky EuroMillions winner could snatch up £199m jackpot in UK record

Loretta Swit presents a tribute to 'Mr. Rogers' at the 45th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on April 29, 2018

M*A*S*H star Loretta Swit dies aged 87

The study is funded by the Sarah Harding Breast Cancer Appeal, a charity set up in the name of the Girls Aloud singer who died of breast cancer aged 39

Study led by Sarah Harding's doctor could see NHS offer breast cancer checks to women in their thirties

Exclusive
A prison officer was stabbed with a weapon that may have been delivered to Long Lartin prison by a drone.

Prison officer stabbed with weapon 'likely sent in by drone', union chief tells LBC News as he warns 'it's a risk every shift'

Latest News

See more Latest News

White House AI Hack Triggers Global Security Fears as Voice-Cloning Threat Grows

White House AI voice-cloning hack spark security fears as deepfake of Trump's Chief of Staff triggers global alarm
Sanitation workers load rubbish into an automatic garbage truck in Long Island, New York

Man found dead 'buried under rubbish' after bin he was sleeping in was emptied into bin lorry
Chinese President Xi Jinpingmeets with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.

China hits back at Trump after he accuses it of 'totally violating' tariff agreement

Trump has responded to a question from a reporter about the Macrons

‘Not good’: Trump responds to question about video of Macron being 'slapped across face' by wife Brigitte
Levi Bancroft, 22, was sentenced on Friday, 30 May at Southwark Crown Court for four counts of rape involving three victims

Serial rapist, 22, who raped two 'vulnerable' teenage girls and a transgender woman sentenced to life in prison
Screengrab from CCTV footage showing Jay McGinty, 37, at the entrance to Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair.

Man caught trying to steal jewels worth £190k from Claridge’s Hotel using smoke grenades and sledgehammer jailed
Daily Life In Richmond Hill

Toxic pesticide linked to cancer discovered in tampons at levels 40 times above legal limit for drinking water
Lord Hermer and Sir Keir Starmer

'Out of touch': Attorney General slammed for comparing ECHR doubters to Nazis

The UK’s Oldest Man, Donald Rose aged 110, has been given the ‘Freedom of The Borough’ in Derbyshire.

UK’s oldest man given ‘Freedom of The Borough’ for service in World War 2

Aerial view of Long Lartin High Security Prison near Evesham in Worcestershire.

Prison officer, 25, airlifted to hospital after being stabbed by inmate at high-security prison

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

King Charles III.

King Charles offered Rolls-Royce and other luxury gifts by Bahrain

Prince William, the Duke of Cornwall, speaks with farmers.

Prince William promises to be a 'force for good' as supporting farmers is a 'branch of philanthropy'
Meghan 'cuddled Prince Archie for the rest of the night' after he hit a milestone.

Meghan reveals profound impact of major ‘mum moment’ with Prince Archie

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