MORE than one third of adults in the UK are anxious about their everyday finances, new polling from Christians Against Poverty (CAP) suggests.

Through its latest campaign, “Budget not Blues”, the charity is urging more churchpeople to train to become money coaches to support people who are struggling financially, with budgeting and debt, for example.

In its weighted poll of 2000 UK adults, conducted by Opinium Research in early December, CAP reports that one third (33 per cent) are “suffering daily anxiety about their finances”. Compared with the UK population, this is equivalent to 17.1 million people, CAP says.

Of these, 38 per cent refer to the high cost of essential items as the primary cause of their financial worries (equivalent to about 7.6 million people in the UK). One quarter say that they would like help with budgeting. This is compared with more than half the 18- to 34-year-olds surveyed.

CAP’s chief executive, Stewart McCulloch, said: “These shocking statistics paint a stark picture of the financial anxieties facing millions, but they also highlight where the Church can extend its ministry to bring hope and light into people’s lives.”

One of CAP’s money coaches, Ali Vipond, said: “We’ve had really positive feedback. It’s helped people to lift the burden of financial worry, enabled them to take control of their finances, and given them freedom to do the things that are important to them.”

Budget not Blues free money-coaching sessions can be booked on the CAP website. CAP also provides a benefits calculator and free debt advice.