Six in ten fear financial shortfall in 2011

Six out of 10 Britons are worried that they will not have enough money to enable them to live comfortably during the coming year, a survey indicated today.

Around 57% of people are concerned they will face a financial shortfall, while 37% are worried about losing their job, according to helpline charity Samaritans.

Just over half of people also cited financial problems and debt as being one of their top five worries during 2010, followed by concerns about their health at 32% and problems with relationships with family and friends at 30%.

Around 28% of those questioned said domestic politics had been a major source of stress during the past year, while 26% were worried about world affairs.

Three out of 10 people said 2010 had been a bad year or even their worst year ever, up from 24% who felt the same about 2009.

Despite this, a fifth of people admitted they did not seek support from anyone to help them cope with their worries during the year.

Around 56% of people are worried that they will suffer directly during 2011 as a result of spending cuts to public services, while nearly a quarter of people with children are worried that they will lose their home.

Fears of redundancy are also widespread regardless of people's socio-economic group, with 38% of people in the C2DE group worried about losing their job, only slightly more than the 36% in the ABC1 group.

Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of Samaritans, said: "As a nation, we continue to worry about our health and our relationships, but, unsurprisingly, our concerns have become increasingly focused over the past year on having enough money to live comfortably.

"It's also clear that, no matter what work we do or where we live, many of us are anxious about keeping our jobs and our homes.

"The most important thing to remember in these tough times is that we can all help each other and no one should suffer alone."

:: YouGov questioned 2,138 people between November 30 and December 2.