If the new government wants to re-balance the fortunes of different parts of our communities, now is the time to put people in hardship front and centre of the conversation, says Jeff Mitchell, Editor of Quids in!

For over a decade, Quids in! magazine has aimed to amplify the voices of low-income households. A couple of years ago, Quids in! made a promise to them to see them, hear them and reflect how they are part of our organisation. We not only want social tenants, unemployed people and welfare claimants to be seen but actively heard in the decisions that shape their lives. As we enter a new political chapter, the UK government is seemingly attempting to level the economic playing field. Will these households finally have a say? And how can you help?

Our forthcoming Quids in! Cost-of-Living survey, which we conduct every two years, is about more than collecting data. It’s about creating a platform for the lived experiences of those who are often overlooked in public discourse. Reaching over 120,000 social tenants across the UK, this year’s survey provides a vital “temperature check” on how ongoing reforms, global upheavals, and domestic policy choices have impacted those on the financial margins. 

Data in bold is from the Quids in! 2022/23 Cost of Living survey.

55% of QI readers felt frightened, anxious or afraid, on account of money worries. (82% among those not able to work, 30% among people beyond retirement age)

Reflecting on a Decade of Hardship 

When we launched our first survey in 2012, the UK was grappling with austerity, welfare reform, and cuts to public services. These changes hit low-income households hard, and our readers shared stories of resilience, frustration, and ingenuity as they navigated the shifting landscape.

44% skipped meals compared to 37% in 2012/13, (a 19% increase). Just 11% could keep food on the table if their income decreased

Fast forward to today, and the headlines have changed. Brexit, the pandemic, global conflicts, and economic experiments from the highest levels of government have created new challenges for struggling households. The cost-of-living crisis has become a grim backdrop for everyday life. It heightens financial anxieties, forcing many to make impossible choices between heating, eating, and basic wellbeing.

53% switched off their heating despite being cold

Listening and Learning

This year, our Survey revisits familiar themes. We’ll ask again about the impact of money worries on health and quality of life. We’ll explore the accessibility and effectiveness of financial services and advice, and their outlook for the future. We’ve also added new questions to reflect the realities of 2024. We’ll look into the legacy of the pandemic on household resilience, the compounding pressures of inflation, and the effect of policy promises to “level up” the economy. 

Our earlier responses paint a vivid picture of a community stretched thin. People have already told us about the toll financial stress takes on mental and physical health, the frustrations of dealing with inaccessible or inadequate financial services, and the daily struggles to simply get by financially. 

Fewer than 11% felt able to save regularly

Why Their Voices Matter

Too often, low-income consumers are treated as passive recipients of policy rather than active participants in shaping it. This needs to change. As policymakers outline ambitious plans to address inequality, the voices of those who understand these challenges most intimately must be front and centre.

The media too should be listening. After the budget, they were all-too-ready to bang the drum for hard-pressed businesses. But it’s a different story when it comes to hard-pressed families forced to live on welfare or earning so little they have no choice but to turn to foodbanks.

Our survey results offer more than statistics – they are a call to action. They reveal the cracks in our systems and highlight opportunities to create meaningful change, from improving access to affordable credit and financial advice to redesigning welfare systems that genuinely support those in need.

28% would borrow from friends or family to replace white goods like a washing machine, 4% would turn to a payday loan, 2% would borrow from someone calling at home

A Shared Responsibility

For too long, the narrative around poverty has been shaped by stigma and stereotypes. Our job at Quids in! is to challenge this, showcasing the dignity, strength, and resourcefulness of low-income households while holding power to account.

As an editor, I believe in the power of stories to drive change. Each response to our survey is a reminder that behind every statistic is a person – a parent, a carer, a worker… Each doing their best in a system that often feels stacked against them.

While 19% said they didn’t need advice, 81% acknowledged they did,  and yet 58% did not seek professional advice, 46% spoke to friends or family and only 29% accessed Citizens Advice or a debt charity 

If the government is serious about levelling up, it must listen. Policies must be informed by lived experiences, not just think-tank theories or political posturing. By giving low-income consumers a platform, we aim to ensure their voices resonate where they matter most. They must ring out at the heart of public debate and policymaking. 

Join the Conversation

This is a pivotal moment. We invite our readers, allies, and policymakers to engage with, first, the Survey, and, later, the insights we uncover through our survey. Let’s turn this data into dialogue and this dialogue into action. Together, we can ensure the needs of struggling households aren’t just acknowledged – they’re prioritised. 

Maybe you can share the survey? Maybe you can connect with us to ensure you receive the intel direct and feed it into your own work? Maybe you’re facing hardship yourself this winter – just take the survey! It’s live now and you can see it here.

Keep checking in with the Quids in! Pro network newsletter. By the Spring, we’ll be releasing our 2024/25 survey results. The fight for economic justice is far from over but, with your support, we’re one step closer to a fairer, more inclusive community.

Image: Daisy Daisy / Shutterstock