One in eleven people in Britain fear they won't be able to afford their monthly rent or mortgage payments in 2014, according to new research from the campaign group Shelter. The research was based on a YouGov survey of over 4,000 adults.
 
 The findings show household budgets across the country at breaking point, Shelter says. Families are the worst affected, with over 70 per cent of rent or mortgage payers with children struggling or falling behind with their payments, compared with 63 per cent of the general population.
 
 The survey also reveals a worrying trend of people unable to face up to their financial difficulties, with nearly one in five saying they had not opened post if they thought it was a bill or late payment reminder.
 
 Liz Clare, a helpline adviser at Shelter, said: 'We're now seeing a stream of cases of families who've been unable to cope with mounting rent or mortgage bills and feel at breaking point'. Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said: 'It's a worrying sign of the times that so many are starting the New Year worried about how they'll pay their rent or mortgage in 2014. Unless they get help, some of the families struggling now could face the very real prospect of losing their home this year'.
 
 Source: Press release 3 January 2014, Shelter
 Links: Shelter press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report