Evidence library

This report shares the experiences of women in Scotland on low incomes affected by the cost-of-living crisis. The research explores the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on women living in a range of circumstances as well as the coping strategies adopted by women struggling to manage rising costs.

FINDINGS Women are being disproportionately impacted by the cost-of-living crisis due to existing inequalities across all areas of life. They are more likely to be living in poverty, have lower levels of savings and wealth and are less able to increase paid work than men due to caring responsibilities.

• In this research, women on low incomes shared deepening experiences of poverty and hardship including hunger and being cold. Alongside this, some women are struggling to repay existing debts or are at risk of accumulating more debt as a result of rising costs, sometimes using cost-of-living payments to repay debt.
• Specific groups of women are particularly struggling. For example, asylum seeking women are experiencing increasing food insecurity, women with caring responsibilities are struggling to afford essential items and lone parents are facing further pressure supporting households financially. Women in low-paid work are also experiencing increasing levels of financial hardship.
• Most women in this research are struggling with rising energy costs as well as the increasing costs of food and basic essentials. Rising food costs are a particular concern for women living in rural and island communities due to a lack of alternative options to reduce costs.
• Most women report negative impacts on both mental and physical health due to increasing financial hardship and precarity.
• Older women in this research face specific issues, with both those approaching retirement or in retirement raising concerns regarding pension adequacy