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Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 'We can't justify a £52 lunch': Middle-income families cut back on days out

A household with an average gross income of £55,000 has cut spending on leisure activities by £40 a week, offical figures suggest.
A café owner in Stockport said they'd seen a shift in customer behavior due to financial pressures. Children's activity businesses are also struggling, with one play centre reporting a significant drop in party bookings and increased staffing costs. The government has raised the minimum wage from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour, but some employers worry it will lead to staff cuts. Business rates will increase, adding to costs for entrepreneurs like Emily Walsh, who runs Tumble Jacks play centre. She's had to cut her staff and work longer hours to make ends meet. The Bank of England expects prices to rise more quickly due to the war in Iran, with inflation forecast to hit close to 3.5% in March. The Treasury says it has taken action to address the cost of living crisis.