50% of Channel Islanders struggle to pay rent, electricity and food

Around 50% of people in the Channel Islands are struggling to meet their day-to-day living costs, according to a recent survey of how people have been coping in past 12 months.

Data from Island Global Research has revealed that cost of living remains at the forefront of Channel Islanders' minds.

672 people were surveyed in Jersey, and 744 from Guernsey, with many complaining of 'very little' to 'zero' support and having to resort to charities and family members for help. 

The number of people (50% in Guernsey and 49% in Jersey) who said they are struggling to pay for everyday living expenses such as rent, electricity, internet and food has remained largely the same compared to when the last survey was taken in 2022. 

Around two in five in the Channel islands say they would struggle to afford an extra £100 a month increase in their living expenses. 

Across both islands, almost 9 in 10 said their household has been by the rising cost of living.

10% in Jersey, and 7% in Guernsey, said they often have to go without life's essentials.

A quarter have sought financial help in the past six months to meet their everyday expenses.

 A third of those surveyed in Jersey, and a quarter in Guernsey said they're concerned about the future impact of living costs on their household.

Data was collected by Island Global Research in Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.

Here is what some of the Guernsey respondents to the survey said:

In Jersey, a rising proportion (36%) are struggling with food costs - up 6% on 2022.

These were among the comments from people in Jersey.

Island Global Research says the slight reduction in the overall levels of concern about poverty and quality since compared to 2022 'signals an adjustment to the new living cost norms'.

"We hope the insights provided by this survey can help our communities make informed decisions, as concerns and uncertainties remain around the future of the cost of living.”

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