A charity in Chancellor Rachel Reeves's successor John Healey's Rotherham and Doncaster constituency says working families who earn just above the threshold for benefits are struggling with the cost of living and receiving little support. Staff at Activate Rawmarsh say these families miss out on schemes such as free school meals and subsidised holiday clubs, leaving them worse off despite being in work, and are calling on the government to provide more help ahead of the budget at the end of next month.

Project coordinator Leomi White says rising food prices, including nearly £7 for a box of cereal, are a constant concern, and that families "just above the threshold to claim" benefits get costs such as £6-a-day breakfast clubs but no financial support. Zoe Hatt, a 36-year-old single mother working part-time, says her earnings do not cover her bills and she is considering claiming Universal Credit, despite not qualifying for help such as free school meals. The BBC has approached the Department for Work and Pensions for comment.