Cost of Living Survey 2026 Question Title * 1. How would you describe your current financial situation? Very comfortable Fairly comfortable Just about managing Finding it difficult Finding it very difficult Prefer not to say Question Title * 2. Compared to a year ago, how has your financial situation changed? Much better Slightly better About the same Slightly worse Much worse Prefer not to say Question Title * 3. How confident do you feel about managing your finances over the next 12 months? Very confident Fairly confident Not very confident Not at all confident Prefer not to say Question Title * 4. Which household costs have increased the most for you in the past year? (Tick all that apply) Energy (gas/electricity) Food and groceries Rent or mortgage Council Tax Water bills Transport Phone TV and internet Healthcare costs (dental, glasses, prescriptions) Other (please specify below): Question Title * 5. Other: Question Title * 6. How difficult do you find it to pay your energy bills? Not difficult at all Slightly difficult Quite difficult Very difficult I am currently in debt or arrears Prefer not to say Question Title * 7. In the last 12 months, have you had to cut back on any of the following because of money worries? (Tick all that apply) Heating Food quality and/or quantity Social activities/seeing friends and family Transport and travel Clothing Holidays Healthcare (dental, eye tests, prescriptions) Leisure activities I have not had to cut back Prefer not to say Question Title * 8. What are your main sources of income? (Tick all that apply) State pension Private pension Earnings from work Benefits Savings Prefer not to say Question Title * 9. Are you receiving Pension Credit? Yes No Not sure Question Title * 10. If no and you would like to check whether you are eligible for Pension Credit, or any other benefits e.g. Attendance Allowance, please leave your contact details below: Question Title * 11. Have recent government budget decisions made a difference to your finances? Yes No Not sure Prefer not to say Question Title * 12. If yes, please tell us how: Question Title * 13. How often do you worry about money? Never Occasionally Often All the time Question Title * 14. Has financial pressure affected your health or wellbeing? (Tick all that apply) Stress or anxiety Poor sleep Feeling isolated or depressed Skipping meals or eating less Difficulty managing health conditions No impact Prefer not to say Question Title * 15. What are your biggest financial worries for the future? (Tick up to 3) Rising energy costs Housing costs Health and care costs Not having enough income in retirement Needing care/support in later life Supporting family members financially Other (please specify below) Prefer not to say Question Title * 16. Other: Question Title * 17. What do you think the Government should do to better support older people during the cost of living crisis? Question Title * 18. What do you think Redbridge Council should do to better support older people during the cost of living crisis? Question Title * 19. Do you have any other comments about how rising costs are affecting you, or suggestions on how things can be improved? Question Title * 20. Gender Male Female Other Prefer not to say Question Title * 21. Age Under 50 50 - 64 65 - 74 75 - 89 90 or over Prefer not to say Question Title * 22. Ethnicity White British White Irish White Other Asian Indian Asian Pakistani Asian British Asian Other Black Caribbean Black African Black British Black Other Mixed Other Prefer not to say Question Title * 23. Household Just you 2 people 3 or 3 plus Prefer not to say Question Title * 24. Accommodation House Flat Supported housing Rented room Question Title * 25. Physical Health Good Fair Poor Prefer not to say Question Title * 26. Mental Health Good Fair Poor Prefer not to say Question Title * 27. Employment Employed Unemployed Retired Prefer not to say Done