This budget took place against a bleak backdrop: The forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) showed a worsening cost of living crisis with real wages falling at the fastest rate since records began.

In February, IKEA joined MPs and Peers across the political divide in Parliament to discuss what the business is doing in the UK to invest for its customers and co-workers, while continuing its transformation to become more accessible, affordable, and sustainable.

Over half of all charities in a recent poll have said they fear financial collapse amid unprecedented demand and a huge drop in donations in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

Unless traipsing through the remotest parts of far-flung constituencies, and perhaps even then, you’re never too far from a welcoming pub or restaurant that’ll serve you food and drink, or a venue that’ll provide entertainment and a warm space to relax.

The government is under pressure to tackle the issue of unclaimed prepayment meter (PPM) vouchers issued through its Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) as experts warn millions of vouchers are predicted to go unclaimed with the money set to be returned to the Treasury.

Last October the Scottish government passed its Cost of Living Act, which implemented a rent freeze and ban on most evictions to support tenants through the winter. The measures went well beyond anything brought in by the Westminster government. But both campaigners and the data itself suggest the Act has only had limited effect.

If you happened to have glanced at any London property portal recently you will be lucky to find a reasonably priced home to rent for under £900 per month, per person, in and around central London.

Has this country now officially given up on its poorest young people? You could be forgiven for assuming so.

The recent government announcement of an additional £15m for universities to provide hardship funding for students might be worth less than £10 a year per student.

The cost of living crisis is causing hardship not only to individuals and families but also to the businesses that employ millions of people in the United Kingdom hospitality sector.

Five years ago, the United Kingdom became the first country in the world to appoint a minister for loneliness – a key recommendation of the loneliness commission set up by Kim’s sister, the late Jo Cox.

Global pressures and our post-pandemic world mean we have experienced one of the most financially tough years in recent memory. We must hope that Christmas can provide at least a small amount of respite and family time for parents who work so hard to provide for their children.

Ministers have vowed to become less reliant on the Army to step in during strikes amid growing concern among military figures about the impact on soldiers and military resource.

The Chancellor's Autumn Financial Statement set the scene for a winter of unprecedented hardship in the UK and as Christmas looms it is evident that there are challenging times ahead for the most vulnerable. Some of those will be veterans – a group believed by many to be sheltered from the impact of extreme adversity.

Unprecedented scenes of nurses chanting and holding placards on picket lines outside hospitals up and down the country has left Rishi Sunak with an almighty headache heading into the Christmas break.

Recognising that some people may be faced with difficulty warming their homes this winter, a local community site has agreed to open its doors to the public and provide a safe, warm space to relax and socialise.

Most of us can relate to the pang of anxiety that comes with opening a letter about an overdue bill. The red shouty text, along with the threats of court action or bailiff visits can almost instantly feel overwhelming.

A booklet from the Building Societies Association and Money Advice Trust, 'What to do if you can't pay your mortgage', sets out six practical steps to help households who are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments during the cost of living crisis.

Exclusive: A majority of respondents to a new poll want the UK to continue its support of Ukraine in opposing the war waged by Vladimir Putin even though they believe measures are worsening the cost of living crisis.

Rising costs and inflation have meant a tightening on people’s finances all across the country. But in social housing the picture is even bleaker.

The United Kingdom is in recession. The Autumn Budget reflected this sobering diagnosis of the country’s economic state and foreshadowed an Osbornesque turn to the austerity policies of the 2010s.

At the heart of this government’s mission is supporting the most vulnerable in society through the economic challenges we are facing. As Work and Pensions Secretary, guaranteeing that safety net has been my top priority.

Released today, figures from the BSA show that mortgage lending by building societies in the third quarter of the year was up 11% compared to Q2 despite the worsening outlook for the economy, and squeeze on household incomes. The number of approvals were however down 9%. Gross lending was also up by a fifth compared to the same period last year (Q3 2021), when the Stamp Duty holiday was in operation, although the number approvals were a little lower.

Jeremy Hunt's long-awaited Autumn Statement managed to avert market panic and so far, a Tory rebellion, but Conservative MPs are still worried for their chances at the next General Election. In fact, they fear Hunt's gloomy grappling with the country's finances may have made their prospects even worse.