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70% of low-to-mid income workers struggle to keep up with bills, research shows

42% said they had been forced to turn to friends and family for help when their income did not cover bills. 

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70% of low-to-mid income workers struggle to keep up with bills, research shows
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Aston University and Hastee, a Zellis company, found that 70% of UK low-to-mid income workers are struggling to keep up with bills or falling behind on financial commitments. 

Only 26% said they could cover a £300 emergency from savings.

The study focused on employees using earned wage access (EWA). 

42% said they had been forced to turn to friends and family for help when their income did not cover bills. 

Rising cost of living was cited as the main driver of financial pressure by 52%, while 23% pointed to unexpected costs such as car repairs and school expenses.

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Dr Hayley James, senior research fellow at Aston University’s Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing, said: “The data from this research points to a clear pattern: for many employees, financial stress is not simply a question of how much they earn, but of when they can access what they have already earned. 

“This is not only an income issue, but one of timing and volatility. When expenses and pay cycles do not align, people are pushed into borrowing from friends and family simply to get by. 

“These findings add to a growing body of evidence that conventional pay structures may not reflect the financial reality of today’s workforce.”

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42% of regular users of flexible pay said they would turn to friends or family if they could not access earned wages early. 

Other options included credit cards (27%), Buy Now Pay Later products (23%), overdrafts (22%) and payday loans (6%).

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James added: “Borrowing from loved ones can appear cost-free, but it often carries a significant emotional burden and places strain on already stretched support networks. 

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“Short-term financial pressure is not always visible in conventional measures of income. 

“The real issue is whether money is available when it is needed. Reliance on informal borrowing highlights deeper challenges around access, resilience, and financial inclusion.”

The study also found that flexible pay helps improve financial confidence and reduces stress. 

67%said it helped them feel more in control of their money and less stressed between pay cycles. 

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60% said it made them feel more confident in managing money and helped them plan more effectively.

Rachel Harte, head of impact at Hastee, a Zellis company, said: “These findings show that employees are not using flexible pay for discretionary spending, but to manage essential costs such as rent, groceries and bills, as well as emergencies. 

“This highlights how vulnerable many workers remain to even modest financial shocks. 

“Providing responsible access to earned pay, alongside savings and guidance tools, can help employees move from short-term survival towards greater financial stability.”

Harte added: “For employers, this is not just a wellbeing initiative, it is a practical way to improve retention and workforce resilience.”

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