A survey of house-holds found that one in five are relying on loans and credit cards to pay bills. Many of them were earning less then £21,000 and those aged 30-49 with children were struggling the most.

This is easy to understand. A working, childless couple who are not entitled to any extra benefits and living in a privately rented flat in London would struggle on £21,000, as rent alone could be £800-£950 per month. Their remaining income could easily be spent on council tax, electric, gas, water, student loans, phone line and TV licence, leaving very little for food.

With so many graduates competing for work, many jobs are advertised as minimum wages because employers know that high-calibre candidates will do the job regardless. This situation won't get any better without some big changes to the system.

I doesn't surprise me that people are struggling. Some have had their salaries frozen, yet everything, not just food but all household bills, fuel, etc, is going up. Times are hard. People with more childs must be feeling the pinch.