Cost of living pressures persist for majority of households despite government support

More than half of adults say their cost of living increased last month despite government promises of relief. The Office for National Statistics revealed 56% of people reported higher household costs in February compared with January.

Food shopping emerged as the biggest culprit. Among those facing rising costs, a striking 93% blamed increasing prices at the supermarket checkout.

Energy bills remain a major concern too. Some 69% of households experiencing cost pressures pointed to rising gas or electricity bills as a key factor.

The Numbers Behind the Squeeze

The ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey data, published on 20 March 2026, captures the real-time experience of households across Britain. But the findings sit uncomfortably alongside official forecasts predicting inflation will ease.

For their part, the Office for Budget Responsibility expects consumer price inflation to fall from 3.4% last year to 2.3% this year. By 2027, economists predict inflation will hit the Bank of England’s 2% target.

Market expectations for gas prices have dropped 15% since November. Yet households clearly aren’t feeling that relief yet.

Government Response

Ministers have rolled out support measures this year. The average household will receive £150 off energy bills. From April, the National Living Wage will rise 4% – affecting 2.7 million workers nationwide.

The inflation basket tells its own story. Housing, water, electricity and gas costs now carry more weight in official calculations – up 10.70 parts per thousand. That reflects how much more families are spending on keeping the lights on and roofs over their heads.

Natural gas dropped 2.04 parts per thousand in the basket. Underlying spending on gas fell over 30% compared with last year.

Why Forecasts Don’t Match Reality

The gap between economic predictions and kitchen table reality highlights a familiar problem. Inflation might be cooling on paper, but families still face higher bills today than last month.

Transport costs have also jumped considerably in the official inflation calculations. That affects everything from commuting to food delivery – costs that ripple through household budgets in ways that don’t always show up immediately in headline figures.

Key Takeaways

• 56% of adults reported cost of living increases in February, with 93% citing rising food prices
• Energy bills remain a concern for 69% of those experiencing cost pressures
• Government support includes £150 average energy bill relief and 4% National Living Wage increase from April

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent households will benefit from the £150 energy bill support announced for this year, providing some relief from the gas and electricity cost pressures identified in the ONS survey. Local businesses dependent on food supply chains should prepare for continued price volatility, while Kent workers earning the National Living Wage will see a 4% pay rise from April. The county’s major ports and transport links mean logistics cost increases will above all affect local employment and cross-Channel trade, making the broader inflationary pressures especially relevant for Kent’s economy.