Warning Brits 'cutting corners' to save cash could put households 'in danger'

More than 18 million Brits admit they are cutting corners by choosing cheaper goods and services – despite worrying about safety and quality. To cope with the cost-of-living crisis , over half of adults (53%) say they have changed their spending habits over the past year. And a poll of 2,000 adults found a third (33%) are now opting for cheaper products or services, even though 46% have concerns about regulation, quality or safety. Clothing, cleaning products and skincare were among the items shoppers said they are buying on the cheap, despite feeling uneasy about reliability and trustworthiness. More than a quarter (28%) also said they have chosen cheaper versions of essential services such as home maintenance and DIY. The research found 36% are more willing to take risks now than they would have a few years ago because of these financial pressures. But many said it hasn't always worked out, with 51% admitting cutting corners meant they later had to replace items or redo work. The study was commissioned by Gas Safe Register , which has teamed up with Shaunagh Brown – a former England rugby union player and ex-Gas Safe engineer – to highlight the dangers of taking shortcuts. Brown said: “Working as an engineer showed me first-hand how important it is to do things properly. “I understand why people are looking to save money right now, but when it comes to gas work and essential safety checks, cutting corners simply isn’t worth the risk." A fifth of respondents admitted cutting back on boiler servicing or gas appliance maintenance. “The short-term savings can quickly turn into much bigger costs - or worse, put your household in danger," Brown added. “It’s about making informed choices and making sure the people working in your home are properly qualified and legally registered.” The poll found 16% have delayed routine gas checks to save money, while 12% of those with a gas boiler or appliance would consider using an unqualified engineer. More than one in five (22%) said they had failed to check an engineer’s credentials. According to OnePoll figures, the average saving needed to justify using an unregistered engineer was 25% for a single job. As well as cost, urgency was a key factor in choosing an unqualified gas engineer, followed by trusted recommendations (12%). Ronan Howard, customer first delivery lead for Gas Safe Register, added: “It shows just how normalised risk taking has become when household budgets are under pressure. “Many people don’t realise that checking an engineer’s credentials is essential, or assume a small saving is worth the risk when work feels urgent. “Improving awareness around safety checks could help people make better informed decisions, even during difficult financial times.”