Almost half of workers are now reportedly borrowing money to pay bills

More than 2,300 workers took part in a study that found nearly half have been forced to borrow money to make ends meet in the past six months, and many are cutting back on essentials

Nearly Half of workers have been forced to borrow money from banks, lenders or family and friends to make ends meet in the past six months, according to a new study.

A survey of more than 2,300 workers also showed that only one in three said they could afford basic necessities, while nearly two-thirds said rising energy costs are forcing them to spend less on basic groceries or other essentials.

Members of the GMB union who took part in the survey said they could not afford to keep the heating on and feed their families, and some said they only ate every other day.

Speaking at the union’s annual conference in Harrogate, GMB general secretary Gary Smith said: “We are facing the perfect storm of wage slumps as prices soar. It’s a disaster for the workers.

“People are suffering and this government is doing nothing.

“The rise in energy prices was grimly predictable. Instead of blaming low-paid workers who are demanding a pay rise, ministers need to pull themselves together and make the important decisions that can help stabilize prices going forward, such as on new nuclear plants and gas storage.

“There is now a strong case for wage support for some of the lowest paid workers.”

One person, an ambulance worker, who took part in the survey said: “I can’t afford to leave the heating on and support a family of six. It has to be one or the other. Years without a pay rise are starting to bite.”

And there were many other similar comments.

A school social worker said: “We don’t live, we stand still. This government needs to give me a break,” while an airport firefighter replied, “I work two jobs, my partner works two jobs, and we’re still struggling to afford basic necessities like groceries, gas, and electricity.”

While one NHS worker simply said: “I can’t afford to live, I feel depressed.”

A truck driver also said it affected his mental health.

“As a 43-year-old married man with three young children, I’m really depressed as we struggle with soaring food and energy bills. I am very concerned about the coming months as our wages are at breaking point,” he said.

And one person who works as an administrator said: “It’s so hard to save the money for our wedding. I actually said to my partner I wish now we hadn’t set the date and paid the deposit at our venue. I wouldn’t have booked my wedding if I knew our bills were going to skyrocket.”