UK Cost of Living Polling 2026: Who Do Voters Trust to Ease the Squeeze?
43% of voters name cost of living a top issue. Labour leads at 30% but Reform UK is rising rapidly as voters seek more radical answers.
Which Party Do Voters Trust on Cost of Living?
Reform UK risingPolling question: "Which party do you trust most to reduce the cost of living for ordinary families?" Source: composite of YouGov, Ipsos, Survation polls, May 2026.
Key Cost of Living Numbers
Analysis: Why Cost of Living Remains a Battleground
The Inflation Legacy
While headline CPI inflation has fallen from its 2022-2023 peak, the cumulative price level increase of around 20% over three years remains deeply embedded in household budgets. Food prices, energy bills and mortgage costs are all significantly higher than in 2021. Voters who blame the Conservatives for the inflation spike are now turning their frustration on Labour for not rolling prices back — a politically unrealistic expectation but a genuine driver of dissatisfaction.
Reform UK’s Cost of Living Pitch
Reform UK’s rise to 21% on cost of living trust reflects their flat-tax proposal, energy price deregulation and promises to cut government spending to fund tax reductions. For voters who believe Labour’s approach — higher minimum wages, energy bill support, public spending — is not working fast enough, Reform UK’s radical alternative is becoming credible. Their strongest cost of living numbers come from the same working-class voters who backed Leave in 2016.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which party do UK voters trust most on cost of living?
Labour leads on cost of living trust at 30% in May 2026, ahead of Reform UK (21%), Conservatives (18%) and Lib Dems (13%). Labour’s lead is built on their record of raising the minimum wage and energy bill support, though voters remain sceptical the overall cost of living burden is reducing. See the Labour tracker.
Is inflation still high in the UK in 2026?
Headline CPI inflation has moderated significantly from the 2022-2023 peak but price levels remain elevated. The cumulative effect of the inflation surge — food up roughly 25%, energy up significantly — means most households feel significantly worse off than in 2021, even as annual inflation returns to near the Bank of England’s 2% target.
How has Reform UK performed on cost of living polling?
Reform UK has risen approximately 6 points on cost of living trust over the past year to reach 21% — now just 9 points behind Labour. Their pitch of income tax cuts, energy deregulation and reduced government spending appeals to voters who believe lower taxes rather than higher spending is the route to reducing household bills. See the Reform UK tracker.