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Cost of Living Still Top Concern for St Neots Residents, Survey Suggests

Is the cost of living a primary concern for you?

New figures show the cost of living crisis remains the biggest issue facing the UK — and it’s one that’s continuing to hit home for many families in St Neots.

According to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 88% of people say the cost of living is one of the most important issues facing the country today, followed by the NHS (80%), the economy (69%), immigration (64%), crime (57%), and housing (54%).

Locally, those trends reflect what many in St Neots have been feeling. With prices still high in shops and at the pumps, and with rising rents across Cambridgeshire, younger adults, renters and families are among those feeling the squeeze most.

The research found that 91% of renters and 91% of parents with dependent children listed the cost of living as a key concern — groups that include many of the town’s younger working families. Women (89%) and people aged under 50 were also more likely to raise it as a priority.

The NHS was the next biggest concern, especially among older residents and women, with 86% of over-70s naming it a major issue. That mirrors the picture locally, where access to GP appointments and long waits for hospital treatment continue to be hot topics across Cambridgeshire.

Meanwhile, the economy and immigration were reported as growing concerns — particularly among retired adults and homeowners. 82% of over-70s said immigration was an important issue, compared with just 45% of 16–29-year-olds.

Crime and housing were also highlighted, though by fewer people overall. Older residents were more likely to worry about crime, while younger adults and renters said housing was among their top priorities, especially those struggling to find affordable homes to rent or buy locally.

The ONS says the findings show how issues vary by age, gender, income and housing situation — but the message from across the country, and here in St Neots, is clear: the rising cost of living remains the biggest concern for most households.

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