Families urged to make change as 'new essentials' drain cash

Millions of UK households are clinging to 'new essentials'Rory Poulter11:01, 30 Jul 2026Brits are clinging to Netflix, Spotify and gym memberships even as the cost of living continues to bite. New research suggest millions are refusing to cut the subscriptions despite a fresh wave of rising household bills.‌TV streaming, music services and fitness memberships have become the country's new "essentials" – with households more willing to ditch takeaways and restaurant meals than cancel monthly direct debits for entertainment and exercise. The findings come as almost three in five households (59%) say at least one of their regular bills has increased over the past three months, piling further pressure on stretched family budgets.‌According to comparison website Uswitch, two-thirds (66%) of hou