Fifth of families delay paying bills to afford basics

One in 10 households has had to borrow money from family and friends in order to afford basic goods and services.

As a clear picture of the impact of austerity measures on ordinary people begins to emerge, the findings show a fifth of families have delayed paying their bills in order to meet everyday outgoings.

Results of a CSO survey also reveal most households have cut back since mid-2009 on a range of items including clothing and footwear and on socialising and foreign holidays.