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The average Briton saw 'no meaningful improvement in their life' over Labour's first year in power, new research has found. An annual 'Life in the UK' survey of 7,000 people, carried out by charity Carnegie UK, showed no significant change in the wellbeing of Brits since 2023. The survey asked a range of questions on economic, social, environmental and democratic topics to come up with an overall 'wellbeing score' out of 100. This year's survey reported an overall wellbeing score of 62, one point higher than last year and the same score as 2023. Published a month ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves' next Budget, the report showed that households are finding it a little more affordable to keep their homes warm enough than they did in 2023 or 2024. But the study also found that economic hardship has not eased for millions, especially those living in social housing; families with three or more children; and people on low incomes. Carnegie UK warned there are large economic wellbeing gaps between different groups in society that aren't closing. Their report added that 'while some individuals report greater financial stability and improved living conditions, others remain at risk of exclusion and hardship'. It found declining satisfaction with local job opportunities and widespread experience of problems with pollution and littering in local neighbourhoods. But there was a small improvement in the average person's mental and physical health. Sarah Davidson, chief executive of Carnegie UK, said: 'Our index shows that between May 2024 and May 2025, the average person in the UK saw no meaningful improvement in their life. 'Public services and systems are barely working for too many households, and our research shows that poorer people, larger families and people in social housing are still getting left behind. 'A month ahead of the Budget, there's an opportunity for the Chancellor to invest in closing this gap. 'It's unacceptable that so many people's wellbeing still rests on issues such as their income, housing, disability, and the place where they live. 'Our survey highlights what life is really like for people living in the UK in 2025 and it should now be the mission of government to take bolder and more joined-up action to make life better.' In this year's survey, 79 per cent said they could afford to heat their homes adequately, two points higher than last year and six points higher than in 2023. Some 68 per cent said their general health was good or very good, up three points from 2023. But there was widespread discontent with local job opportunities, with just 26 per cent saying they were satisfied with those available, down from 31 per cent the year before. And some 83 per cent said there were problems with litter in their neighbourhood, an increase on previous years. The survey also found widespread dissatisfaction with British democracy, some 72 per cent saying they felt they could not influence decisions affecting the UK. But the survey also found a significant increase in faith in the Westminster, with 54 per cent saying they had medium or high trust in the UK Government, up nine points from 2024. The survey, carried out with pollster Ipsos UK, polled 7,106 UK adults between May 8 and 14 this year.
