A stark warning has been issued for middle-income households across England, as a major new poll reveals the depth of public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Poll Reveals Crushing Public Disapproval
A recent YouGov survey shows the Labour Party Government's net approval rating on the cost of living has collapsed to a staggering minus 77. The data, current as of January 2026, indicates that for a significant portion of the public, economic pressures remain the paramount concern, with the issue topping the list of priorities for 16% of Britons.
The 'Squeezed Middle' Faces Perfect Storm
Financial experts are highlighting a critical misconception: lower inflation does not equate to lower prices. Rebecca Robertson, director and independent financial adviser at Evolution Financial Planning, explained the harsh reality to GB News. "Inflation easing simply means prices are rising more slowly, not that they are falling," she stated.
Robertson emphasised that the cumulative price hikes for essentials like housing, energy, food, insurance, and transport are now locked in at permanently higher levels. Meanwhile, many household incomes failed to keep pace during the peak of the crisis. "Even where nominal wages have risen, many households are still catching up after a prolonged period of real income erosion," she added.
Taxed on Paper Gains, Left with Less
The situation creates a particularly acute trap for middle-income families. They often earn too much to qualify for targeted government support yet lack the financial buffer to absorb the sustained higher costs, leading to a steady shrinkage of their disposable income.
"This means that our costs have gone up, our salaries have increased but not for all in line with inflation, however we are being taxed the same," Ms Robertson said. The result is a universal drop in living standards, with everyone seeing a reduced amount of money in their pockets.
While the cost of living is the most common top priority among Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green voters, it ranks slightly lower within their collective concerns, cited by 17-23%.
Political Battle Lines Drawn
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has directly addressed the post-Christmas financial strain, pledging support for hard-up UK households. In a combative statement, he framed the economic challenge as a core political fight. "They want a weaker state, they want to inject bile into our communities... This is the fight of our political lives and one that we must relish," he declared.
Sir Keir insisted his government would be judged at the next general election, expected in 2029, on its record on the economy, the NHS, and whether people felt "more safe and secure" in their communities. He concluded, "Governments do not lose because polls go down. They lose when they lose belief or nerve. We will do neither."
