‘We are not living’: Hunt’s autumn statement ‘too late’ for those on benefits

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy People on benefits have described feeling like “the walking dead” as they voiced fears Jeremy Hunt’s expected announcement of a payment increase in line with rising prices will come too late. “An increase to the benefits will just about cover the cost of the rise, so really and truly it’s not worth it… we have families working double jobs who are still not able to provide.” In the next six months, with energy prices going up. “I’m going to be going to radiation therapy every day for up to eight weeks, probably, in the new year… there’s quite a lot of travel involved in that so I’ve got far more expenses than I get in benefits coming in.” In February, Mr Wilson’s mortgage rate was 4.29%, with payments of £484.19, of which he paid £271.17 and received £213.02 through the Department for Work and Pensions. “In the next six months, with energy prices going up… I think next year it will be a disaster.”