Single adults need annual income of at least £31,536 to afford essentials – nearly £2,000 more than average salary
SINGLE adults need an annual income of at least £31,536 to afford essentials, a study found.
It is nearly £2,000 more than the average £29,669 salary.
As a result, people are giving up food, clothing and hygiene products to pay rent.
For adults living alone, 25 per cent struggle to make ends meet and 56 per cent choose between paying for rent or buying essentials including hygiene items.
More than 50 per cent have stopped socialising and 14 per cent even go without items such as toilet roll or period products.
The survey of 2,000 people by health company Essity found young adults are most likely to have to choose between essential items.
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Some 77 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 are in this position, compared to 36 per cent of over-65s.
It comes as Tesco starts a promotion for shoppers to donate hygiene items with In Kind Direct.
Rosanne Gray, boss of the charity, said: “Hygiene poverty disproportionately affects those already struggling, but the research shows financial difficulties are now impacting everyone.”