Most families think their Christmas dinner will cost more this year because of soaring energy bills, inflation and higher taxes.

A bleak survey found that the majority of households (55per cent) believe that their festive meal will cost more than last year.

Most cited the price of energy as the main reason that products will be more expensive (58per cent), followed by inflation (55per cent) and supermarkets hiking prices (47per cent).

One in five (21per cent) blamed Government policies such as the family farm tax for pushing up the price of produce during the festive season.

The results of the poll by Savanta for the Liberal Democrats showed that six in ten over-55s felt their Christmas turkey would set them back more. Just over half of 18-34s felt the same.

Among the majority who expected costs to rise this year, most focused on the cost of living, citing high energy bills and the economy.

Labour’s tax policies also feature highly, with the family farm tax which ends inheritance tax exemptions for farmers, being cited.

Among 18-34-year-olds, more than a quarter ranked Labour’s tax policies among their top concerns compared with one on in five older people.

Families say Christmas dinner will cost them more this year because of soaring bills and higher taxes

Families say Christmas dinner will cost them more this year because of soaring bills and higher taxes

Nearly a third of those who voted Reform last year blame the Government’s tax approach, significantly higher than Labour or Liberal Democrat supporters.

Others point the finger at supermarket pricing strategies, with nearly half suspecting retailers are pushing up prices to protect shareholder profits.

The energy watchdog said last week that bills are set to increase despite Labour moving some of the costs on to general taxation.

Ahead of the election, Labour pledged to reduce bills by £300 but the energy price cap has increased by £190 since the party came to power.

They are still rising even as wholesale power and gas prices are falling due to higher grid and policy costs, which include green levies.

Inflation has been above the Bank of England target for several years and is unlikely to return in the near future.

Meanwhile, farmers are furious with Labour after they announced plans last year to subject their assets to inheritance tax for the first time.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to levy a 20per cent inheritance tax on farmers’ assets worth more than £1million in her first Budget.

Ministers claim that in practice, only farms worth more than £3million could be affected and said more than 70per cent would not have to pay the levy.

But the NFU claim this figure is wrong and that the Government’s own figures show two-thirds of farms could be at risk.

Tim Farron, the Lib Dem environment spokesman, said: ‘Labour’s tax hikes are hammering family farms and risk pushing up food prices, including the cost of a Christmas dinner.

‘We will oppose these unfair tax hikes tooth and nail.

‘Family farmers are vital to our food security. Labour faces a rural reckoning at the ballot box in May unless they axe the family farm tax for good.’

Savanta interviewed 2,017 UK adults between December 5-8.

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How rising taxes and crippling bills have driven up the price of your family celebrations