The price shock has not hit familes evenly. Inflation was steepest for essentials, which make up a larger share of poorer households’ spending. As a result, the rise in non-housing costs since 2019 has been around one-sixth bigger for the poorest tenth of households than for the richest tenth.

We know that abolition of the two-child limit has already improved the health, learning and happiness of children. It's time for all political parties to look to build a better future for everyone, not argue about re-running failed experiments of the past.

The PM’s thinking about the long term is crucial but action is also urgently needed to remove millions of children from poverty now.

Families are still paying the price of austerity cuts to our social security safety net. With living costs continuing to rise, these proposals are a fast track to increased poverty and are the last thing people need as they try to get back on their feet.

This cost-of-living government can and must restore investment in child benefit in the forthcoming Budget so that all parents are able to give their children a fair shot at success. 5/5

Most parents receiving child benefit say they greatly value it. 81% say it is an important part of their monthly budget that they couldn’t manage without. We estimate that it is worth £5 a week less than it was in 2010 for an eldest child as a result of cuts and freezes. 4/5

Children are missing out. Among parents struggling to manage: - 20% say their children had wanted to or used to socialise with friends but this is no longer affordable - 28% can’t afford swimming lessons for their kids - 25% can’t afford children’s sports clubs 3/5

- Half of struggling families (49%) said financial pressures prevent them from spending quality time together as a family - 28% of parents struggling to manage say their financial circumstances mean their children experience social isolation 2/5

We've published new research today on how the cost-of-living crisis is damaging family life and the quality of childhood itself. Some key stats: - 79% of parents polled are finding it harder to raise children because of the cost of living compared with two years ago 1/5