PEOPLE in Hampshire are more worried about their finances than they were at the start of the year, a survey has revealed.

The study by insolvency trade body R3 showed that despite recent statistics showing that business confidence is at a record high, the number of people south-east who are pessimistic about their financial future has increased.

It revealed that almost a third of people believe that they will be worse off within the next six months – the last time they were asked back in January less than quarter felt that way.

Southern Committee of R3 chairman James Stares said: “There has been plenty of positive economic news recently, but while this seems to be instilling optimism in the business world, the same can’t be said for the ‘man on the street’.

“A number of factors could be playing a part in their pessimistic outlook, including stagnant or below-inflation wage increases or rising energy costs. The danger is that people will turn to unsustainable credit to plug the gaps in their finances.”