This April, people on low income will find themselves worse off than ever.

From this week, most working-age benefits and tax credits will be frozen for a second year - even though inflation is now running at 2.3%.

This includes child benefit and other payments for children, as well as benefits for those out of work and many people who are too ill to work. It also includes tax credits for those who are working but on low pay.

And the freeze is set to continue for another three years, however much inflation rises in that time. The Institute for Fiscal Studies says this means a cut in real income of £360 this year alone. By 2020, that cut will be much greater.

All of this at a time when the Government is reducing income tax and inheritance tax for the better off.

SUE TANNER
Sunningwell Road, Oxford