‘It’s become lonelier’: Britons cut back on socialising as cost of living soars

theguardian.com:

People in the UK are cutting back on socialising as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze incomes and force people to cut back wherever possible. Fuel costs mean that many are unable to go out regularly, while pubs and restaurants report struggling to break even as footfall plummets.

Here, five people describe how rising costs are affecting their ability to spend time with family and friends, as well as the impact on their wellbeing.

Caroline used to meet up with family and friends every weekend; she would go out with her husband for a drink or a bite to eat regularly. “We weren’t partygoers, out every night of week, but life was very different – we might have been out a couple of times a week,” the 54-year-old dental nurse in Hertfordshire says. Now, she has stopped that and can only afford to drive to Kent to see family and friends once a month.

The progression to “thinking about every single penny” happened over several months. “Before, it was not even thinking about going out. Then it was ‘we’ve had dinner out, best not do that’. Now I’m thinking to myself, god, it’s going to cost so much money to visit Mum and Dad. Having contact with family shouldn’t be a luxury.” It is August, but she is already worried about Christmas – being able to afford to take over “a couple of bottles, gifts and some chocolates”.

“Life has become a lot lonelier,” she says. “I feel quite isolated … Speaking on the phone is not the same as human contact and spending time out. The joy has gone out of life for so many people.”

Last November, Vicky Hughes, a 30-year-old freelance illustrator, moved to Leeds with her partner as they were no longer able to afford to live in London. “It’s been quite hard to meet people with money on our mind