October Health – 2025 Report
Financial Wellness in United Kingdom 
The leading cause of financial wellness stress in the United Kingdom is the cost of living crisis, particularly rising housing costs, utility bills, and inflation impacting everyday expenses. This widespread economic pressure affects employees' mental health and workplace wellbeing significantly. Offering financial education, benefits advice, or tools like October’s digital group sessions on financial wellness can help companies support their workforce effectively.
- Financial Wellness Prevalence
- 16.67%
- Affected people
- 9,168,500
Impact on the people of United Kingdom
Effects of High Financial Wellness Stress on Health and Personal Lives
-
Mental Health:
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Difficulty concentrating and decision-making
- Higher risk of burnout and chronic stress
-
Physical Health:
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Elevated blood pressure and heart disease risk
- Weakened immune function
-
Personal Life:
- Strained relationships and social withdrawal
- Lower productivity and job satisfaction
- Increased risk-taking or avoidance behaviours financially
Supporting financial wellness through workplace mental health programmes, like those provided by October, can help employees manage stress effectively.
Impact on the United Kingdom Economy
Effects of High Financial Wellness Stress on an Economy
- Reduced Productivity: Employees preoccupied with financial worries tend to have lower concentration and efficiency at work.
- Increased Absenteeism: Financial stress can lead to health issues, prompting more sick days and time off.
- Higher Healthcare Costs: Stress-related illnesses contribute to rising healthcare expenses for employers and the economy.
- Lower Consumer Spending: Financial insecurity discourages spending, slowing economic growth.
- Workforce Instability: Stress can lead to higher turnover, increasing recruitment and training costs.
- Decreased Innovation: Stress hampers creativity and problem-solving in the workplace.
Supporting employees with financial wellness programs and mental health interventions, such as digital group sessions from October, can mitigate these impacts by improving financial literacy and reducing stress.
What can government do to assist?
Measures a Country Can Take to Lower Financial Wellness Stress
-
Enhance Financial Education
Implement nationwide financial literacy programs starting from schools and continuing through adult education to improve budgeting, saving, and investing skills. -
Improve Access to Affordable Financial Services
Encourage policies that promote low-cost banking, credit access, and transparent financial products to reduce predatory lending and debt traps. -
Strengthen Social Safety Nets
Provide robust unemployment benefits, housing support, and healthcare access to reduce financial uncertainty during crises. -
Promote Workplace Financial Wellness Programs
Encourage employers to offer financial wellness resources, such as advisory services, workshops, and digital tools like October’s digital group sessions for employees. -
Support Affordable Housing and Living Costs
Implement measures to keep housing, utilities, and essential living costs affordable to decrease financial burdens on households. -
Encourage Saving and Retirement Planning
Facilitate incentives for long-term savings and pension schemes to ensure financial security later in life.
Integrating these strategies within public policy and workplaces can systematically reduce financial stress and promote mental well-being.
What can businesses do to assist their employees?
- Provide Financial Education Workshops: Offer sessions on budgeting, saving, and managing debt.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Ensure access to confidential financial counselling services.
- Promote Transparent Compensation: Clearly communicate pay structures, benefits, and any bonuses.
- Offer Flexible Pay Options: Early salary access or flexible pay can reduce financial stress.
- Encourage Use of Digital Tools: Implement platforms like October for digital group sessions on financial wellness and stress management.
- Support Savings Schemes: Help employees participate in pension plans or workplace savings schemes.