Nearly a third of Britons are going back to the office more because of the cost of living crisis, in a bid to save money on energy bills.
Some 71% of those now working from the office have noticed a change in the price of their energy bills, according to research from Brother (who surveyed 500 people).
Additional research from money.co.uk found monthly bills were the biggest financial concern for people in the UK – regardless of what salary they earned.
One in eight of those earning under £15,000 were concerned about having enough money for food.
Those earning about £55,000 were most worried about their mortgage payments.
What do you do if you cannot pay a bill?
James Andrews, a financial expert at Money.co.uk, says: “As ever more people are becoming concerned with how they’re going to pay their bills every month, it’s important to know what steps you can take if you do find yourself unable to make a payment.
“Don’t ignore the problem. Being unable to pay a bill is stressful, but the problem can escalate if you don’t tackle it sooner rather than later. Rather than bury your head in the sand, make contact with the company that sent the bill – they’re likely to be more understanding if you’re upfront and honest about your circumstances.
“Prioritise housing and council tax. No one wants to miss a bill, but failing to keep up with your rent, mortgage or other debt payments secured on your home can see you evicted. That makes these bills a priority. Council tax is the only bill you can be imprisoned for failing to pay – so that’s another bill you need to pay attention to.
“Keep paying what you can, if you can. Even if you can’t pay off the entire bill, paying what you can demonstrates that you are committed to clearing the balance eventually. This will also reduce the amount you owe, and therefore mitigate any increases on the bill if interest builds on the outstanding balance.
“Get help. If you’re struggling to control your finances, there are several not-for-profit organisations that can consider your personal circumstances and offer you free, bespoke advice. StepChange, National Debtline, or CCCS are all dependable examples.”