Government benefit rise will not ease cost of living crisis, says IFS

Amid the many warnings over the looming cost of living crunch, it’s those on the lowest incomes who will be hardest hit.

Now, a new report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies warns that April’s increase in benefits will not solve the problem.

Every year benefits go up with inflation, but based on last Autumn’s figures, before the huge leap in energy costs had happened.

Warning: This piece starts with flash photography.