A quiet divide exists in the workforce. On one side are employees who can absorb life’s shocks: an unexpected bill, a few days off sick, a broken boiler. On the other are those for whom a single disruption tips the balance.

Our 2025 FinWell Index, which measures the financial capabilities and wellbeing of people across the UK, shows that this divide widening. One in four adults now has less than £100 in savings, and a further one in six has no savings at all. This fragility is no longer limited to the lowest earners – middle-income workers are also losing resilience as living costs outpace their ability to save.

For employers, the consequences are already familiar: rising stress, faltering focus and higher turnover. HR teams know financial wellbeing is important, but knowing how to embed it in a way that improves culture and performance isn’t a simple task. Read more