According to a new report from the Which? Consumer Insight Tracker, Brits have begun falling behind on their bills as inflation has put increasing pressure on their pocketbooks.

According to the data, roughly 1.9 million households have missed at least one mortgage, rent, loan, credit card, or other bill payment in the last month.

This time last year the figure was 1.7 million Britons.

The report noted that missed payments tend to be lower in the run-up to the holiday season, rising to a peak in January, when many households have to pay back what was spent during the Christmas season.

The report has increased worries that over the coming months, as the UK heads into a recession, there will be a wave of payment defaults, followed by worsening economic conditions as they head deeper into 2023.

Of the bills missed, the data shows that energy bills were most common, with 2.3% of households having missed an energy payment. That was followed by 1.9% of households having missed a council tax.

Among those most likely to miss a housing payment were renters, and 3.1% of respondents reported having missed a loan or credit card payment.

Which? director of policy Rocio Concha said, “We’re worried that many more people could be facing financial crisis in January – as the credit repayments pile up and the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.”

He went on, “As so many people face financial hardship, Which? is calling on businesses in essential sectors like food, energy and broadband providers to do more to help customers get a good deal and avoid unnecessary or unfair costs and charges during this crisis.”

In another report by research group GfK, UK consumer confidence has remained at the lowest levels seen in almost 50 years for eight months now, as record inflation continues to drive a deepening cost of living crisis.

In November, UK inflation reached 10.7%, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. That is more than five times the 2% target.