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.
Household Price Increases Since 2021: What Polling Shows Voters Feel
Polling question: "Compared to 2021, how much more do you estimate your household is paying for key essentials?" YouGov, June 2026.
| Essential | ONS Official Increase | Voters' Felt Increase | Perception Gap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly food shop | +24% | +35% | +11pp | Staples (bread, eggs, dairy) up more than headline |
| Gas & electricity bill | +62% | +78% | +16pp | Price cap still well above pre-2021 levels |
| Mortgage (variable) | +89% | +95% | +6pp | Base rate rises 0.1% → 5.25% → now 4.5% |
| Rent (private) | +34% | +42% | +8pp | London rents up +40%; national average lower |
| Petrol / diesel | +18% | +29% | +11pp | Perception includes post-2022 spike memory |
| Council tax | +19% | +22% | +3pp | Annual 5% cap applied in most years |
| Childcare costs | +26% | +38% | +12pp | Free hours extended in 2024 but nursery fees rose before |
ONS data: CPIH, ONS Private Rental Index, Bank of England base rate data. Voter perception: YouGov April 2026 (n=2,150 GB adults). The perception gap reflects both real non-headline price rises and the psychological anchoring of pre-2021 prices.
Winter Fuel Payment Cut: The Political Flashpoint
The most politically damaging single cost-of-living decision was Labour’s August 2024 announcement restricting the Winter Fuel Payment to means-tested recipients only, removing it from approximately 10 million pensioner households.
YouGov polling showed the winter fuel cut was opposed by 62% of adults nationally. Even among Labour’s own 2024 voters, 49% opposed it. The decision crystallised a narrative of a government prioritising fiscal prudence over protecting vulnerable households — a narrative that has been extremely difficult for Labour to escape since. Subsequent polling has consistently showed that “the winter fuel cut” is the single issue most often cited by former Labour voters who have switched away from the party.
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.
How much have UK food prices risen since 2021?
UK food prices rose by approximately 25% between 2021 and 2024 — well above headline CPI. Staples such as bread, dairy and cooking oil saw the steepest increases. Despite annual inflation returning to near 2% in 2025-26, the cumulative price level remains significantly elevated. 67% of voters say food costs are their primary cost-of-living concern in May 2026, ahead of energy bills at 53% and housing costs at 48%.
Are UK wages keeping pace with the cost of living?
Real wages — adjusted for inflation — are approximately flat compared to 2021 after sharp real-wage falls in 2022-23. The National Living Wage increased to £11.44 per hour in April 2024. However, 58% of voters say they feel financially worse off than five years ago. The gap between nominal wage growth and subjective financial wellbeing is a central driver of Labour’s approval difficulties on the economy. Economy polling tracker →
Related Trackers
Sources & Further Reading
Official UK inflation and cost of living data is published by the Office for National Statistics: Inflation and price indices. For polling on party economic trust, see our economy polling page and the voting intention tracker.