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As temperatures begin to drop following a scorching summer, many will be worrying about the increased costs that the colder seasons bring.

For millions in the country, managing the cost of living remains a daily struggle as prices continue to rise faster than household incomes.

Despite inflation returning to pre-pandemic levels, the cost of goods has remained persistently high in the face of stagnant wages. At the same time, exorbitant household bills mean millions are grappling with debts to afford the essentials.

Around 14 million adults are going without food because they cannot afford it, recent research by Trussell found. Meanwhile, energy arrears have more than doubled over the past five years, rising to £3.9 billion at the end of 2024.

Recent research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that low-income families in the UK are on course for the worst fall in living standards on record by the next election in 2029.

Against this difficult economic backdrop, it’s important that households are claiming all the support the they entitled to.