31% of UK households have less than £250 set aside as a financial safety net, according to new research from HSBC.
The recommended minimum ‘salary cushion’ is three months’ average monthly take-home pay – £5,756.
The survey of over 1,000 UK households shows that 19% have no savings at all to fall back on and 12% have savings of less than £250. With average monthly household outgoings currently £1,669, these savings would last just five days. The number of households in this situation has risen by three quarters of a million to over eight million since last year, when 28% had maximum savings of £249.
Those aged 16 to 24 and 35 to 44 are least prepared for a financial emergency – and worse prepared than they were in 2011. 46% of the younger group has fewer than £250 in savings (32% in 2011), while 42% of those aged 35 to 44 are in the same position (35% in 2011).
Meanwhile, women are far less prepared than men; 21% admit they have no savings and 13% have less than £250 set aside, compared to 16% and 10% of men respectively.
28% of people admit they would be unable to cover their rent or mortgage at all if they were to unexpectedly lose their main source of income. While 40% say they would use their savings to meet their essential outgoings, they may be underestimating the amount they would need. Over one in 10 would rely on personal loan, credit card or their overdraft in the event of a redundancy.
Bruno Genovese, head of savings for HSBC, said: “These findings highlight a lack of financial preparation among the British public that appears to have worsened slightly over the past year. In today’s uncertain economic climate, it is important that families are setting aside a realistic sum of money to be used in emergencies. As a general rule, a financial safety net of at least three month’s salary should be set aside in accessible savings for a rainy day.
“By putting away a small amount each month, Britons can help themselves build up an emergency savings pot as provision for any eventuality without having to rely on a solution that could push them into the red.”
