Millions of UK households will see their incomes fall this year as a result of the cost of living and inflation rate rises.
Those claiming DWP and HMRC benefits will be hit harder than ever in April as payments are outstripped by those cost of living hikes.
The independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) warns that nine million families who receive benefits such as Universal Credit to top up their incomes will be £500 a year worse off on average with some taking a hit of as much as £720.