Cost of living measures deemed ‘life raft’ for those struggling to keep afloat

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 Government measures to help households cope with soaring energy prices are a “life raft” that will provide struggling families with “much-needed breathing space”, charities have said. He added: “In our view, targeted support to provide as much help as possible to the households who simply can’t afford to make ends meet, even when they have pared their budget down to basics, is the best way to reduce harm and enable households to keep the lights on and food on the table.” Michael Clarke, head of information programmes at Turn2us, said one-off payments “will only act as a sticking plaster until longer term investment materialises. “The package of support announced today goes part way to rectifying this, but more must be done in the longer term to ensure everyone can afford the basics and not be reliant on one-off acts of generosity from the Chancellor.” Alison Garnham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said the Chancellor is “kidding himself” if he thinks the measures will prevent people from being set so far back they might never recover. She said: “If the Chancellor is serious about supporting those who are struggling then he will need to make long-term changes to the structure of the social security system and restore the value of benefits to something that families can really live on.” Richard Kramer, chief executive of national disability charity Sense, said: “The cash will bring immediate relief to many, but the Government must ensure measures go beyond the immediate crisis and support disabled people long-term.” Morgan Schondelmeier, director of operations at the Adam Smith Institute, welcomed the targeted payments for the most vulnerable households.