Bar staff struggling to pay household bills, research claims

A survey of 370 licensees, managers and bar staff carried out in April this year showed 24% of respondents had money worries, with 75% of those having issues paying household bills; 58% struggling to pay their rent or mortgage; and 9% saying they have health-related money concerns.

With little understanding of what the economy will look like should the UK leave the European Union in October, increasing financial pressures can’t be ruled out.  

Deteriorate following Brexit​

Backing the LTC’s data is recent research that claimed more than a third of British adults believed their financial circumstances would deteriorate following Brexit.

Around 17m people responded to a YouGov survey earlier in the year saying they were worried how they would fare in the coming months, with many of the worries centring around food costs, the fall in the value of the pound and rising energy costs.

LTC charity services manager Carolyn Jenkinson said: “Last year, a lady who had been in the pub trade for 23 years was signed off sick with mental health issues, exacerbated by her daughter being unhappy and bullied at school.

“This led to rent and council tax arrears, compounded by her not claiming the benefits she was entitled to, and her flat falling into disrepair.”

Address her arrears​

Jenkinson continued: “We awarded her grants to address her arrears, purchase a new cooker and carpets, and provided advice on what benefits she was entitled to, to support her going forward.

“With the stress of the situation lifted, she could return to work, and is now working full shifts again.”

She added that the LTC’s facilities and advice could help those in the trade reduce their debts, lower bills and ease the pressure of monthly payments.