Financial stress is taking a toll on people’s health and working lives, according to new research from the Building Societies Association (BSA) for UK Savings Week (22 – 28 September 2025).
Almost a quarter (22 per cent) of workers said money worries had harmed their performance at work, while one in five (19 per cent) admitted they had taken time off sick because of financial stress. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, one in three reported being made ill by money pressures.
The survey also revealed how close many households are to serious financial strain. Three in ten adults said they were only one pay day away from difficulties. More than a quarter (27 per cent) have savings of less than £1,000, and 12 per have none. One in five said they could not cover a £300 emergency expense.
Andrew Gall, head of savings and economics at the BSA, said:
“This research lays bare the human cost of financial insecurity and how money worries are quite literally making people ill. But the findings also highlight the benefits of saving. Those who are able to save, even small amounts, have reduced anxiety and are more able to deal with life’s shocks.”
The report found that savings bring wider wellbeing benefits. Regular savers were more optimistic, slept better and felt more satisfied with life. Even modest savings were linked with improved resilience – while 60 per cent of people with under £1,000 in savings said they could not manage more than a month without income; this fell to 33 per cent among those with savings between £1,000 and £9,999.
Encouragingly, the research showed many people believe they could save more. Most adults (81 per cent) said they could put aside an extra £10 a month if they tried, including nearly half of those with no savings. Younger adults were the most confident, with 89% of 25-34-year-olds saying they could save more.
Dancer and TV personality Shirley Ballas, a supporter of the campaign, added:
“Saving, a bit like dancing, can feel intimidating at first. Taking that first step is often the hardest part. Having some money set aside when life takes an unexpected turn can make all the difference.”
UK Savings Week aims to encourage two million new regular savers by 2030 and shift £50bn currently held in zero-interest accounts.
