A strong theme was feeling overlooked, especially among people who do not see themselves as eligible for support. One female respondent said she had very little to do with it and that people like her “get stuck in the middle” because “we’re not earning loads but we’re not earning little enough to get much help, so nothing really changes.” Even where respondents were broadly positive, there were clear caveats. A man in his 50s called it “a reasonably good budget” but said he would have liked “something to be done about lowest tax threshold,” which points to a wider desire for changes that feel tangible in take home pay.

We also heard how the Budget is being judged through the lens of personal circumstances and work realities. A young professional said it was “not well thought of” and felt “not favourable for landlords,” adding that “we’ve had to adjust the way we work.” These reactions underline how people weigh policy announcements against their own pressures, and whether the Budget feels like it will meaningfully ease the cost of living or simply require more adjustment.

For some, the cost of living has meant tightening up rather than making big lifestyle changes. A male respondent said “you have to be more careful” and that it is true for “most social strata,” even if it has not forced “fundamental changes” for everyone. But at the sharper end, the impact is immediate and relentless, especially where fixed costs are high. A fishmonger called it an “absolute joke,” explaining that his stall rent is “£650 a week,” and that he has to sell “a lot of fish” while “nothing’s cheap.”

Students spoke most clearly about the gap between costs and income widening, and the practical tactics they are using to cope. One said it has “made things much harder” because loans are not rising “at the same rate that the rent is,” and juggling studies with a job is hard. Another added that “everything is increasing but our wages aren’t reflecting that,” capturing a wider feeling of falling behind. Even food shopping has changed, with one student saying she used to spend £20 but now spends “upwards of £40 a week,” and that she plans around deals. Alongside that, everyday price rises are being felt too, like a male respondent noticing that “coffee has gone up” as well as fuel and other daily costs.