29% of UK Adults Lack Financial Shock Confidence in 2026, Up 6 Points

1 articles · Updated · Cover Magazine · Jun 24

29% of UK adults said they were not confident their household could cope with a financial shock in 2026, up from 23% a year earlier, according to The Exeter's survey of 2,000 consumers.
19% said they felt very confident in their family's financial resilience, down from 22% in 2025, pointing to a broader weakening in perceived financial security.
25-34-year-old workers saw confidence fall to 67% from 75%, while the 45-54 'sandwich generation' was described as the hardest hit among age groups.
15% said day-to-day living costs would be the hardest expense to manage if the worst happened, underscoring how routine household pressures are eroding resilience.