Are rising prices ruining romance?

As the cost of living soars, many of us fear the cash squeeze is wrecking our closest relationships

- LUCY ROBINSON

With the price of supermarket staples continuing to soar, and household bills still rising, many people are feeling the squeeze right now. In fact, 93% of UK adults noticed a substantial increase in living costs between August and September last year.

But – and this one might surprise you – our love lives are also taking a hit, with 55% of people now believing their relationship is “on the rocks”. And 70% of couples fear their love will not survive these turbulent times.

Dating coach Hayley Quinn claims the situation is likely to change romantic relationships as we currently know them.

“While love is recession-proof, the cost of living crisis will profoundly change our love lives,” she says. “Some people may find themselves stuck in a relationship, while the constant anxiety of paying bills could put a strain on couples.”

But Hayley isn’t simply predicting what might be to come. For many people, this scenario is already a reality.

When 30-year-old Jessica Logan from Tamworth gave up her £42,000 learning and development consultant job in 2018 because of disability, she and her husband Dale found themselves in a single-income household.

The couple, who have been together for seven years, have found the last 12 months particularly difficult, especially as they have failed to qualify for any cost of living payments due to Dale’s salary and Jessica’s New Style Employment and Support Allowance.