LONDON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- New research has found that Britons are 15 percent worse off than they were five years ago following rises in the cost of living.

    The average household now has less than 20 percent of their gross income left, compared with 28 percent in 2003/2004 after paying tax and other monthly household bills, Sky news reported on Friday, citing accountancy firm Ernst & Young.

    Families are left with an average of 772.79 pounds ( 1546 U.S. dollars) to spend each month after paying all of their fixed monthly bills, down from 909.84 pounds in 2003.

    Ernst & Young found that fixed monthly household costs had soared by nearly 45 percent in the past five years, taking up about half of people's total pay.

    Due to higher interest rates and bigger mortgages, homeowners now pay 78 percent more in mortgage repayments than in 2003/2004 at an average of 735 pounds a month,

    Meanwhile, monthly energy bills have jumped by 110 percent while petrol costs are 29 percent higher at 193.61 pounds. Cost for loans, credit cards and overdrafts are also rising by 44 percent whereas council tax is up 25 percent.

    People in Britain are given more tips on saving and bargain in addition to advice on growing their own vegetables in their garden.