Cut our energy and utility bills in Budget, mothers urge Osborne

The report showed that as families see their budgets squeezed by escalating gas and electricity bills, half want to see a reduction in the price of energy and utility bills in the Budget.

According to the report, a third of mothers are also calling on the Government to increase the personal tax allowance, and a third, many of whom are carers, would like to see greater investment into the NHS.

Andy Clarke, ​p​resident and CEO of Asda, said: “Given all the possible things consumers could ask for help with, it’s telling that for the second year running energy and utility bills remain the key concern.

“The Government’s recent decision to freeze fuel duty was a welcome step​,​ but more clearly needs to be done to pressure energy companies into stabilising household bills.”

He said the survey revealed the extent of fears about the rising cost of living.

“While the UK economy appears to be improving, these 
benefits are yet to be felt by 
families across the country,” he said.

“​To help alleviate some of this pressure, I’d encourage the Chancellor to indicate a plan to increase the ​p​ersonal ​t​ax ​a​llowance to £12,875 – in line with a full-time salary on the National Minimum Wage – a move that would provide an immediate boost to both the pockets and confidence of UK households.”

​The Chancellor is expected to announce plans to increase ​​the 
p​ersonal ​t​ax ​a​llowance to £10,500 from £10,000.

Other findings from the survey show that more mothers are turning into entrepreneurs, with twice as many young mothers (women under 30) starting their own business than any other age group, with one in five young mothers setting up a business from their own homes.

​The report also showed that 73 per cent of mothers are selling unwanted possessions online to bump up their earnings.

​Some 40 per cent of mothers are asking to work extra hours to boost their incomes and 29 per cent are selling their belongings at car boot sales.

Asda said that while a majority of mothers (60 per cent) agree the UK has started on the road to recovery, this is yet to be felt in their day-to-day lives, with 84 per cent still concerned about the rising cost of living. It said the under 30s are feeling the most pressure, with two in five mothers in this age group saying that unaffordable house prices have prevented them from moving home.