The impact of the cost of living crisis in Bristol revealed

A survey suggests Bristolians are less satisfied with life compared to before the pandemic with many now worrying about inflation and rising bills.

Thousands of people selected at random were surveyed by Bristol City Council, revealing the impact of the cost of living crisis.

Three quarters of people living in Bristol surveyed in 2019 said they were “satisfied with life”, with this number dropping to 62 per cent last year. Each year the council runs a Quality of Life survey to find out how people’s experience with life and local public services is changing.

Results from this year’s survey have now been published, showing how people are becoming less healthy and more unsatisfied. Writing on his blog, mayor Marvin Rees said the views of the 3,905 respondents showed how people in Bristol are struggling with money.

Rees said: “Results from 2023’s Quality of Life survey highlights the impact the national cost of living crisis is having on Bristol residents. Unfortunately, there are increases in residents’ worries about everyday life and costs. Almost half of participants are extremely worried or moderately worried about keeping their home warm this winter.

“Across Bristol there are many people having to choose between putting food on the table and heating their homes, a choice that no one should have to make in 2023. Our city’s advice services are incredibly busy with people asking for help and advice on managing money and debt, and there are so many people concerned with how they will pay their rent or energy bills next month.”

People saying they were “satisfied with life” dropped from 75 per cent in 2019 to 62 per cent last year, while the number of people who said they had a “below average mental wellbeing” increased from 15 per cent to 21per cent.

Fewer people also get enough exercise each week, dropping from 71 per cent to 64 per cent. With rising heating bills, 48 per cent of respondents worried about keeping their homes warm.

Unsurprisingly, far fewer people are satisfied with the local bus service, with this dropping from 48% in 2019 to 38 per cent last year. And reflecting the economic downturn, the number of people satisfied with the cost of their rent or mortgage payments dropped from 59 per cent to 49 per cent.

Among people living in the poorest parts of Bristol, the results are even starker. The survey captured the views of residents living in the 10 per cent most deprived areas of the city. This showed they were even less satisfied with life, with 62 per cent worrying about keeping their homes warm.

In the most deprived parts of Bristol, just 46 per cent of people said they were satisfied with life, while 34 per cent said they had below average mental wellbeing and only 52 per cent said they get enough exercise each week.

One category where the views of people in the poorest parts of Bristol were more positive than the average was traffic, with 63 per cent saying congestion was a problem locally compared to 74 per cent city-wide, and 63 per cent thinking air quality and traffic pollution was a problem locally compared to 70 per cent across the city.

Rees added: “I know that these past few months have been incredibly tough for so many. Remember, you are not alone. If you are struggling to put food on the table or to pay your energy bills, please reach out.

“If you just need some basic advice around money management and budgeting, please reach out. You do not need to be in a crisis before asking for support, it’s better to ask the questions and get advice before you get to that point.”

People seeking help with housing, mental health, food, money, jobs, heating bills and other cost of living support can find out information and signposting on the council’s website: www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/people-and-communities/cost-of-living-support

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read next:

• How Bristol’s universities are supporting students amid the cost of living crisis
• Community unites to fight climate change during cost of living crisis
• Third food bank opens in one neighbourhood 

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: