Britons unprepared for financial emergencies

Saturday 16 October 2010 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Nearly a third of UK adults have less than £250 in savings according to research from HSBC bank.

This is the equivalent of only five days' average take-home pay while the recommended minimum is three months – £4,683. Those aged between 25 and 34 are the least prepared for a financial buffeting: 41 per cent have less than £250 in savings, and with a quarter saying they have nothing set aside at all. Women are far less prepared than men, 20 per cent admit they have no savings and 13 per cent have less than £250 compared with 17 per cent and 9 per cent of men respectively.

Across the UK, people in the North-west are least likely to have any savings set aside at all, with a quarter admitting they had no financial safety net whatsoever. Meanwhile, one in five British homeowners say that they would not be able to pay their next monthly mortgage repayment if they lost their job.

"These findings demonstrate a worrying lack of preparation among UK residents. With the current climate of uncertainty, it is of utmost importance that people are setting aside a realistic sum of money to be used in emergencies," Richard Brown, head of savings at HSBC said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in