The cost of living crisis has left 2.5 million families unable to pay household bills, including mortgages, rent and energy.
According to consumer watchdog Which? research, numbers who have fallen behind with at least one payment soared by almost 50% from 1.7 million since December.
One in seven on lower incomes of less than £21,000 were the hardest hit, the study found.
Rocketing energy and grocery costs were the main reasons for missing bills and 51% said they had cut back on heating homes and using domestic appliances to save money.
One in 10 with a family made sure their kids got a hot meal but skipped food themselves.
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And almost one in 20 of those quizzed had to use a food bank. One hard up Brit said: “Everything has gone up in price. Food, petrol and gas and electric but my wages haven’t.
“Last week was the first time I’ve ever had to use a food bank. How is it that I work but had to use a food bank?”
Another added: “Energy prices will rise 50% and that will mean I cannot put the heating on.
“Food prices rising means I’ll have to eat less or miss meals.”
Which? said this was the first time its consumer insights tracker had found “clear signs many people are having to adjust household spending to stay afloat”.
Experts warn prices will continue to rise and inflation could rocket to 6% by April.
Households on £14,600 a year would burn 30% of their income on food and energy compared with 16% by those on an average of £81,000 a year, Which? said.
A couple with children will have to find £1,121 more each year to cover the costs while the bills for single parents are to soar by £930 and £908 for a couple.
Which? called on No10 to “urgently” tackle the crisis.
Martin Pridgeon, 43
The multiple sclerosis sufferer is choosing between heating, eating – or paying for a life-changing drug that is not available to him on the NHS.
The former retail worker, of Grimsby, Lincs, has to find £200 a month to buy fampridine - or Fampyra.
Mr Pridgeon said: “I’ve had to make huge sacrifices and cut down on things like food and heating to be able to afford it.”
Damian Von Talbot, 41
A dad of two fears choosing between heating and eating after his energy bill quadrupled.
Charity worker Damian von Talbot, whose bill went from £100 to £400 a month, said: “When I got a bill for this, I was like ‘Oh my god, that can’t be right’.”
The ScottishPower customer of Mossley Hill, Liverpool, added of his bill: “It’s just not feasible.”
Renters hit by 10% hike
Rents are rising at a record rate jumping nearly 10% in a year.
The typical rent outside London is £1,068 a month, say website Rightmove. It is £2,142 in the capital driven by high demand and low numbers of rental homes.
Tim Bannister, of Rightmove, said: “Rents have risen beyond pre-pandemic levels.”
Energy, fuel and food fears
Three-quarters of households expect their utilities bills to increase this year.
Seven in 10 believe the cost of food will go up, and around half are braced for motoring fuel rises, a poll found.
Ipsos Mori’s Gideon Skinner said: “Older people particulary are concerned about cost-of-living rises.”
Nurses' £2.7k inflation hit
Nurses are £2,700 worse off since 2010 after inflation and social care workers are more than £1,600 a year poorer, research reveals.
The Trades Union Congress analysis comes with inflation is forecast reach 6% this year.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Millions of key workers face another year of wages gloom. That is not right.”
