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Charities urge government to raise benefits in line with inflation as families ‘pushed to the brink’

CHILDREN'S charities are urging the government to raise benefits at least in line with the latest inflation figures to help families whose finances are being “pushed to the brink.”

They have warned of the dangers of “yet more children going cold and hungry” as parents struggle to keep up during the cost-of-living crisis.

Their call came as official figures confirmed that UK inflation remained at 6.7 per cent last month.

A joint open letter to Conservative MPs saw the charities say they are “deeply concerned” by reports the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt might raise benefits by a lower figure.

They warned that such a decision would have an impact on millions of low-income families.

The letter, from Save the Children, the Trussell Trust foodbank network, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Action for Children, Citizen’s Advice and the Children’s Society, urges Conservative MPs to demand Mr Hunt must “do the right thing” by uprating benefits at least in line with September’s inflation figure.

The organisations will be hoping this happens when Mr Hunt makes his Autumn Statement on November 22.

Becca Lyon, head of child poverty at Save the Children UK, said: “Inflation remains at 6.7 per cent and so does the strain on struggling families’ finances. 

“Now would be the worst time to cut the incomes of those pushed to the brink.

“The cost-of-living crisis is not easing for low-income families, who are constantly worrying about falling behind on their energy bills and rent or getting into debt.”

Chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said the government has the power to “stop the worry” for struggling families.

She said: “There is no comfort for struggling families in the news that inflation is unchanged — and still the government hasn’t said that it will safeguard benefits and ensure they rise at least with inflation.

Last month, following reports the Chancellor is considering real-terms cuts to benefits, England’s Children’s Commissioner warned there is a “huge moral case” to support young people.

Dame Rachel de Souza said now is “a really big moment for us as a nation to support our children and back our children.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “We increased benefits by over 10 per cent this year in order to protect the most vulnerable from the impact of high inflation.”

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