Watch Rising Bills: How Can You Save Money – Tonight on ITV1, 19:30<\/p>\n
Britain\u2019s now been in a cost of living crisis for nearly 5 years. Prices of our daily essentials have been rising much faster than our average incomes, putting a damaging squeeze on our finances. And now many of us are bracing ourselves for a fresh wave of price rises.<\/p>\n
In Rising Bills: How Can You Save Money? Paul Brand examines the impact rising costs are having on households, businesses and farmers across the UK, and looks at the practical steps some people are taking to try and cut their spending.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our latest survey of consumers, two thirds of households said they’re making changes to their shopping and eating habits to bring down costs. This is not just people being worried or overreacting, they’re having to make real changes to the essentials, not just cutting out the luxuries.\u201d Sam Richardson, Which?<\/p>\n
In West Suffolk, we meet Bonnie and Seb, parents of four who are trying to reduce their household spending with the help of personal finance expert Lynn Beattie, also known as \u201cMrs Mummy Penny\u201d. With 4 kids to feed, Bonnie already batch cooks and they do keep a watchful eye on their budget. But rising bills are still making life harder.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we did have a bit of extra money saved aside and we could do more family things on a weekend and enjoy it a bit more, have a bit more quality of life in that sense.\u201d – Bonnie<\/p>\n
Lynn helps the family review their subscriptions, grocery spending and household bills, setting them a two-week challenge to cut costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo just be really critical about the costs going through your account and think, do I really need this? Can I live without it, yes or no?\u201d – Lynn Beattie<\/p>\n
The programme also investigates the impact rising fuel prices are having on drivers and petrol stations. In South East London, petrol station manager Meera says higher prices at the pumps has led to a drop in trade, and it\u2019s hitting her business hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s really stressful and really under pressure day to day. I didn’t take my wages for one month because I can’t, I don’t have money because I need to pay the staff salary.\u201d – Meera<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Lea Valley Growers Association warns rising costs could soon affect the price and availability of food in supermarkets.\u00a0 20 percent of their members have already stopped growing in recent years because of rising costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cShoppers are likely again to see higher prices, lack of choice, lower availability as soon as there’s less produce in the market, then the price will go up.\u201d- Lee Stiles, Lea Valley Growers Association<\/p>\n
The National Farmers\u2019 Union says rising costs and supply chain issues could force some farmers to delay planting next year\u2019s crops, or abandon them altogether.<\/p>\n
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural affairs says it is \u201cactively monitoring developments in the Middle East, and the impacts on the food and farming sector\u201d, and says while there are \u201cconcerns around planting impacts for next year\u201d, it \u201dstands ready to act swiftly to support our domestic farming industry\u201d.<\/p>\n
A survey last week found more than a third of UK households feel their finances have worsened in the last 12 months – with rising living costs being the main reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve already got people struggling with energy, council tax, rent, etc. as well as their credit debts. So we expect volumes of people coming for help to increase quite significantly.\u201d – Vikki Brownridge, StepChange<\/p>\n
We put these concerns to the Government, and the Treasury told us it has \u201cthe right economic plan to deal with price rises caused by the war in the Middle East\u201d and is \u201csupporting families with the cost of living in a responsible way\u201d. It says that includes: \u201c\u00a3117 off household energy bills, freezing rail fares, and increasing the national living wage to give a nine hundred pound boost to millions of workers\u201d<\/p>\n
The programme also looks at rising mortgage and energy costs, electric vehicles, debt advice services and new energy-saving schemes designed to help households lower their bills.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Useful links:\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more tips on ways to save on your shopping, visit the Money Saving Expert website<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling to pay for your bills, contact your provider or reach out to Citizens Advice<\/a> for help<\/p>\n If you\u2019re worried about debt StepChange Debt Charity<\/a> can offer guidance<\/p>\n Waterwise<\/a> or Consumer Council for Water<\/a> offer advice on how to save water and potentially reduce your water bill<\/p>\n