Britain’s lowest-paid workers say finances have never been worse

More than half of those earning less than the real living wage said they had used a food bank in the past year. Photograph: David Sillitoe/The Guardian

Almost 80% of the UK’s lowest-paid workers say they are now facing the toughest financial squeeze of their lifetimes, according to new research by the Living Wage Foundation.

Liz Truss has averted a further increase in utility bills with her “energy price guarantee” – a radical measure that could cost taxpayers more than £100bn – but many poorer households are already struggling to make ends meet.