Nearly half of Brits struggle to pay utility bills as CPI hits 5.2%

Research by home insurance provider swiftcover.com has found gas and electricity bills are Brits' biggest financial worry, with 39 per cent citing utility bills as their top concern.

Furthermore, the research went on to reveal that one in four (23 per cent) mortgage holders are concerned about being able to meet monthly payments, while  having the money to even feed the family is a financial concern for 24 per cent.

The research shows a steady rise in concerns over utility payments with age. Whilst only a fifth of 16-24 year olds worry about their utility bills, nearly half (47.1 per cent) of people between the ages of 45 and 55 cite gas and electricity payments as their biggest concern. The fact that the figure remains high for over 55s (42.2 per cent) suggests that this is a worry that we grow into. This will be further compounded by the Government's recent reduction of the Winter Fuel Allowance by as much as £100.

Amanda Edwards, senior marketing manager at swiftcover.com commented: "According to our research, this is a problem that is as universal as it is troubling. Staying warm during winter should be a right, but with rising prices, it is increasingly becoming a privilege. When you think of all the snow last year it's clear how difficult it is to live without central heating, however paying the bill is clearly causing people misery. Winter should be an opportunity to enjoy spending time with your family, not worrying about whether they'll be cold at Christmas."

Although utility bills came out as the UK's most prevalent concern, there were some regional variations. The research shows that utility bills worry people in Newcastle and Liverpool more than anywhere else, with nearly half of all people admitting to payment woes (49 per cent and 48 per cent respectively).  In London utility bills were still high on the agenda (36 per cent) although a quarter of Londoners (24 per cent) said they were more worried about affording their mortgage this year.