Tue, 25 Mar 2025

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 'I'll make £12.24 an hour - I live payday to payday'

As the chancellor prepares to update her plans for the economy we hear how ordinary people are tackling their own financial challenges.

* The UK economy is forecast to grow by only 1% this year, down from a previous estimate of 2%
* Chancellor Rachel Reeves will face pressure to address growing concerns over cost of living and stagnant wages
* People are struggling with high bills, low pay and limited job opportunities, with some reliant on credit or family support
* Business owners warn of plummeting consumer confidence and tax increases could exacerbate problems
* Students and workers voice fears about benefits cuts and lack of investment in healthcare and education Personal stories
* A retired window cleaner from Liverpool struggles to make ends meet on a £200-a-week state pension
* A student medical degree graduate in Northern Ireland is worried about the pay and funding for doctors, as well as unreliable public transport costs
* A business owner in Rugby is taking a 20% pay cut and considering selling his home to reduce mortgage payments
* An entrepreneur who lost savings from a collapsed investment fund says a redress scheme has let them down Key concerns
* Growing cost of living and stagnant wages
* Cuts to benefits for the long-term sick and disabled
* Lack of investment in healthcare and education
* Plunging consumer confidence and tax increases
* Redress schemes for collapsed investments and flight disruptions
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