A report published today (7 November) describes stark impacts of the cost of living crisis on Scots

It shows increasing issues around physical and mental health and changes in spending behaviours

Conducted by media and marketing companies Union and 56 Degree Insight a survey of a thousands people, adjusted to reflect a representative portion of the population reveals widespread distress and changes in living.

Union’s announcement of the report comes with this:

The report strongly suggested that there is now a sense of ‘permacrisis’ taking hold amongst the general population; the pandemic, Brexit, inflation, Ukraine, Westminster instability and the energy crisis have all created a poisonous, potent and toxic cocktail for the average Scot.

 

Union summarises the report’s main points:

The key findings

• Spike in national anxiety and stress:89% of people living in Scotland expressed serious concerns about the cost of living. 69% reported economic anxiety impacting on mental health including more than a third struggling to sleep at night.
• Scots having less fun?:Scots are drinking less as they cut back, by almost 25%, and 21% are gambling less. Interestingly, 26% of Scots report that they are having less sex. It would seem this economic crisis really is a buzz killer.
• A nation consumed by worry:54% Scots worrying to a major extent on how to pay bills and over four in ten significantly worried on how to put food on the table.
• Cut-backs and delays:Families are significantly cutting back, with 88% of households earning £30-£40K the most concerned by rapid increases in outgoings. Cost cuttings include spending less on new clothing (55%), delaying holiday decisions (45%) and eating out less (57%). 39% expect to spend less on Christmas gifts.
• Personal care takes a hit as wallets tighten:37% will get their hair cut less and less cosmetic procedures like botox and fillers (11%, rising to 21% in image conscious Southern Scotland).
• Changing behaviour:80% of women were changing shops (some or all of the time) and 88% are shifting to less expensive products and brands.

Read the report here: Mood-of-the-Nation_Report