People are having to give up socialising, hobbies and even their pets

The cost of living crisis has created a ‘fun deficit’ in Scotland – where people give up the things that make life worth living.

Research shows that many people have given up social activities, hobbies and pets because they can’t afford them.

A Yougov survey for Citizens Advice Scotland has found that 41% of people had stopped some level of social activity (eg eating out) over the last financial year, while 23% had given up some sort of hobby. Further, three per cent (an estimated 137,000 people) had given up their pets.

These newly-revealed figures are from the same survey as the statistic (already published separately by CAS last month) that 36% of people in Scotland couldn’t afford a holiday.

CAS chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “The cost of living crisis has seen a huge surge in people seeking our advice on financial problems. Of course the most severe cases are those where people can’t afford food, energy and rent/mortgage. Those of course are the absolute priority issues.

“But we also see many people who are just able to avoid this extreme poverty but only by giving up things like hobbies and socialising - things which are perhaps not essential to life but certainly make it more enjoyable. So we commissioned this research to see how widespread a problem this ‘fun deficit’ is.

“The results are not only sad to see but also worrying in terms of the impact this has on peoples’ quality of life and therefore their mental health. To give up hobbies and eating out with friends obviously takes a lot of the pleasure out of life, just at the time (post lockdown) that people have needed it.”

He added: “A further consequence of these trends is the impact on businesses and the local economy. Giving up your gym membership hurts them in the pocket as well as you in terms of your health. And pubs and restaurants will certainly have noticed the drop in their business too if two fifths of us are spending less time and money there.  

“I’m particularly moved by the people who have given up the family pet. That must be an absolutely heart-breaking decision - especially for families with children. And it isn’t a trivial issue: for many people their dog or cat is their only companion and a source of comfort against loneliness. That’s especially the case for older or isolated people. 

“In highlighting these trends we want to show both governments and others that the cost of living crisis is having a hugely detrimental impact on people, not just in terms of the absolute essentials but also in the things that help make life worth living.

“It just underlines the fact that every effort should be made to alleviate this crisis and let people get back to living a life that’s not just secure but also includes a reasonable amount of fun.”