Debt advice charities are urging people to only spend what they can afford this Christmas and to reach out for help if they find themselves getting into difficulty.
Julie O’Brien, area partnership manager for Christians Against Poverty in Surrey, Kent and Sussex, said people can feel pressured to meet expectations during the festive period.
Out of 299 people surveyed by YouGov, 28% of people in the South East said they would struggle to afford Christmas this year. A total of 2% said they would not celebrate at all due to the cost.
Simon Trevethick, from debt charity Step Change, said anyone who was struggling should contact their lender or a debt advice organisation as soon as possible.
He said: “People are thinking about how they’re going…